There’s something about the way a tractor looks and sounds, and the way it works, that keeps generations under its spell.

When it comes to rural Alabama, most old men (and women) are drawn to old iron.

Even a toddler with a limited vocabulary knows a tractor when he sees it.

It’s that love and lure that drives folks like David Hargrove, Allen Dement, Marvin Putman, Mike Hodges and the Piney Chapel Antique Engine and Tractor Association to keep American Farm Heritage Days going strong.

The 22nd annual event will take place once again off Elkton Road in Piney Chapel on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2.

The goal of the event is for festivalgoers to help celebrate a way of life that organizers believe made this country great.

The family-friendly festival includes a 20-mile tractor ride, old-fashioned fun and games, toe-tapping music and more.

Named a top 20 event in the Southeastern United States during the month of August, the two-day event offers the public an opportunity to see an array of farm equipment including gasoline engines, steam engines, antique tractors, cars, trucks, horse-drawn equipment and other farming memorabilia. This year’s show features Ford and Fordson tractors and Dearborn and New Holland equipment and engines.

The event is more than a tractor show, featuring the live music of local bands beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, and a variety of vendors and old-fashioned concessions including pinto beans and cornbread Saturday.       

Other activities include a parade of power, fast crank competition, slow races, chain in a box, a skillet throw for the ladies and a pedal pull for the kids.

Festival grounds are at 20147 Elkton Road, two miles north of Athens. Gates open at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Admission is $5 per person. Children ages 10 and under are admitted free.

There is no charge for parking. 

20-mile tractor ride

A 20-mile tractor ride, sponsored by the Limestone County Farmers Federation, is set for Friday, Aug. 1.

David Hargrove said last year’s event was phenomenal and there’s been a huge response this year. According to Hargrove, 48 riders made the trip last year. “We are expecting more than 100 this time,” he said.

The theme of this year’s ride is safety. “We want to promote safety, not only on the ride, but at home and in the field,” organizers said.

Ride participants will depart from festival grounds at 10 a.m. Spectators can watch the tractor parade, which is open to all makes and models, as it leaves festival grounds along Elkton Road before traveling west on Sandlin Road to Elkmont.

The Limestone County Cattlemen’s Association will provide lunch for tractor ride participants at the Historic Elkmont Depot. After lunch, the tractor ride will leave the Depot and continue to the Richard Martin Trail (Rails for Trails) for an historic leg of the trip.

Organizers said special permission was granted to use the trail for the event.

The ride will cross the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle.  

After leaving the trail, tractors will head east on Carey Road and return to Elkton Road traveling back to the festival grounds.

A drivers’ meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the registration tent.

Participants must meet a number of requirements including: drivers must be 16 years old, must maintain a minimum speed of 10 mph, must have a SMV emblem and fire extinguisher, and more.

Wagons are allowed, but must have fire extinguisher, SMV emblem, safety chains, side boards, and proper seating. An adult must accompany children riding in wagons.

“We are certainly looking forward to the event,” Hargrove said.

To find out more, call Hargrove at 256-431-6226,  Dement at 256-431-0619, Putman at 256-431-2316 or Hodges at 256-206-5926.