MUSCATINE, Iowa-Even before the Muscatine County Fair takes place this July, the fairgrounds will see lots of activity when Tractorcade comes to town. As Muscatine County Fair Manager Kelsey Meyers put it, “It’s like farmer RAGBRAI, with tractors!” Featuring public viewing June 12 and tractor parades throughout Muscatine County, Tractorcade will delight farm vehicle enthusiasts of all ages.
An annual event, the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, put on by WMT Radio in Cedar Rapids, will arrive at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds at 101 North Clay Street in West Liberty June 12. That afternoon, anyone who would like to see the 400 to 500 tractors that will participate this year may stop out. A festive afternoon, the fairgrounds will have food on the grill available for purchase as well as a band playing in the Grove and toys out for kids to enjoy. Meyers especially encourages families with children who like tractors to come out and see the spectacle. “A lot of times, drivers want to talk with the families and show them what they have,” she explained.
From June 13 through 15, all of the tractors participating in Tractorcade will travel through Muscatine County and the surrounding area, giving even more people a chance to see their vehicles. Monday, Tractorcade will make a loop stopping at the Lone Tree American Legion, the Louisa County Fairgrounds, and Ardon Creek Winery. Tuesday, Tractorcade will head out again, stopping at Saint Mary’s in Wilton, the Bennett School in Bennett, and Cove Equipment near Atalissa. Wednesday, tractor drivers will make a short loop, stopping at the Buchanan House Winery in Solon before returning to the Muscatine County Fairgrounds for a final lunch.
An event that takes place in a different eastern Iowa location each year, Meyers felt honored that Tractorcade selected the Muscatine County Fairgrounds as their home base this June at the suggestion of the Iowa Association of Fairs. When Tractorcade’s organizers stopped out at the fairgrounds themselves to see its amenities, Meyers said they found it suited all their needs. “They love our facilities and were really easy to work things out with, so they told us they selected us and it’s a big honor; we’re humbled,” she shared.
Unlike any other events that will take place in the area this summer, Meyers hopes many Muscatine County residents will come out to the Muscatine County Fairgrounds to see Tractorcade and discover all it has to offer and watch the tractors parade as they make their way throughout the region. she also believes it will remind people to come out and enjoy the fair this July. “Personally, I’m just very excited to show off the fairgrounds,” Meyers stated. “It will be neat to see so many tractors in one place.”
