World's longest Tractor parade
By Katherine Ellis
STIRLING – It was an awesome sight as 601 tractors sputtered and roared around the 3.2 mile parade route through downtown Stirling on August 20 at 4 pm sharp.
Crowds of people sat in lawn chairs, cars, and trucks at the side of the parade route, waving to drivers, taking pictures and videotaping the nearly three-hour parade. The air was electric with excitement as spectators pointed and screamed at passing tractors. People watching was as gripping as tractor watching. The smell of diesel fuel and smoke spewed out and a few tractors were so loud that to be heard spectators had to shout at the person standing next to them.
“There are no two tractors alike,” marvelled one spectator.
Three tractors stalled and a flat tire prevented one tractor from leaving the main staging area. Some drivers could not keep up with the parade, leaving gaps between tractors. One tractor driver was dressed as a woman. Others carried their dogs on board. Called the World’s Greatest Tractor Parade, organizers hope their achievement will be recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest.
They are in the process of gathering video footage and photos to send to Guinness and the International Academy of Records.
An Illinois parade held the previous record with 241 tractors
Organizer Darrin Heasman said the event surpassed all expectations. “We were just happy we didn’t have to tow anybody.”
He said he had never seen the sidewalks so packed in the small town. “We’ve had a long wet summer and to have those 602 fellows bring their tractors on a day which would have been ideal for hay or combining and participating in our event was amazing.”
Heasman said he thinks the organizers would like to have someone try to beat the record before organizing another parade. “Never say never,” said Heasman. “But I think, having gone through the process, they better pack a lunch if they are going to have more than 601 tractors.”
The tractor parade was part of Stirling’s 150th anniversary celebrations and the 20th Hastings Plowing Match and Farm Show.