Hundreds attend annual Minden event

It starts with one and when two tractors are parked in a yard, they start to multiply.

"It's a horrible disease," said Wendell Newman, the owner of 10 tractors.

Many others with a mutual appreciation of tractors and antique machinery came out to Bill and Doreen Ramsden's ranch on Heybourne Road in Minden for the 12th annual Antique Tractor Show on Saturday and Sunday.

"Anybody that can drive anything wanted to be in the parade," said Newman, coordinator of Northern Nevada Antique Power Club's event. "At one point we totally ran out of room. People kept bringing in more machinery."

Newman estimates about 1,000 people attended Saturday and another 400 came Sunday to watch tractor pulls, be part of the tractor parade, check out the tractor swap meet and try their luck at winning a refurbished 1944 John Deere Model M tractor in a raffle.

The tractor was won by Bill Peters who also seems to have the problem of multiplying tractors at his place in Fallon.

"He collects machinery but he said he's going to keep this one inside," said Newman. "It works."

Newman said the tractor club purchased the raffled tractor last year, fixed it, painted it and installed a blade for scraping dirt.

The money raised at the tractor show goes toward covering expenses for the tractor club to participate in Ag day events and other University of Nevada, Reno, Cooperative Extension programs.

"We're a nonprofit organization," said Newman. "This tractor show helps us put educational programs on for the whole year."

This was the first year the tractor show was sponsored by the Northern Nevada Antique Power Club, a regional farm tractor and engine club organized seven years ago by local enthusiasts who wanted to preserve and restore early farm tractors, machinery and gas engines. The club has grown from 12 original members to more than 150 people in western Nevada and eastern California.

The Ramsdens started the tractor show 12 years ago as a community event for friends and neighbors. Having grown with every year, the Northern Nevada Antique Power Club offered to run the show after the Ramsdens donated the use of their property near Heybourne Road and Stephanie Way in Minden.

Newman said the Northern Nevada Antique Power Club enjoyed a regrowth because of the tractor show - new members signed on and old members rejoined.

"I like to see people work together - putting their shoulders to the same wheel," said Newman. "The event's amazing success came from a lot of cooperation from club members."