7th Annual Saline County Tractor & Car Show
Saline County is gearing up for the 7th annual Saline County Tractor & Car Show 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday May 27 at New Life Baptist Church in Alexander. General admission is free, and all are invited for food, fun, and fellowship. To enter a tractor or car in the show is $15 per vehicle.
“Regardless of the condition of the tractor or car, it’s welcome,” said Jim Barber who leads the tractor events. He praised the strong sense of community fostered by the Saline County Tractor & Car Show, calling it an “exceptionally good fellowship time.”
Attendees can look forward to a variety of games and races that will entertain participants of all ages. Highlights include races, including a slowest tractor competition, a parade, tractor rides, music, food, and agility tracks where participants weave tractors around obstacles. Trophies and prizes will be awarded at the event based on attendee votes, rather than a judges’ panel.
The church grounds cover 17 acres, but the actual church takes about five of those. This leaves the remaining space open for games, tractor rides and vehicle displays.
Food will be offered by the concession stand including burgers, hot dogs, homemade desserts, snow cones, popcorn and more. Proceeds raised from concessions will go directly toward a yearly New Life Baptist mission trip to Brazil.
The group plans to fly into Northern Brazil and travel to a remote village along the Amazon river, once dominated by the rubber industry. Their mission while there involves providing resources and building homes and community churches “from the ground up.” The group typically stays for 17 days, constructing two structures in a “pole barn style” format, completing each within a week.
Kenny Payton, who leads the car portion of the tractor and car show, has been on the trip several times before and will be going again this year.
“I love the Brazilian people, and it’s always a pleasure dealing with the kids. They’ll help us in building the houses, too” said Payton.
Favorable weather is predicted for the Tractor & Car Show, but organizers assure that all will proceed smoothly even if there is rain.
Those seeking more information about the tractor side of the show can contact Jim Barber at 501-690-3152. Those with interest in the car side of the event can call Kenny Payton at 501-574-1215.