Old Timers Day in Perryville offers a glimpse of farming past

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- At the annual Old Timers Day, the day is all about the way things once were.

On one end of the Seminary Picnic Grounds, Albert Mateka and his son could be seen cutting cedar logs into boards. At the other, River Hills Antique Tractor Club member Rick Best was showing visitors a 10-horsepower steam engine from 1919. And circling them all was Jerry and Yolanda Stroup offering covered-wagon rides pulled by their two mules.

For those born in the most recent century, it's like stepping back in time.

The president of the River Hills tractor club is Allen Muench, who's been involved in the club for the last 25 years. Old Timers Days has moved from Altenburg, Missouri, to Perryville, and Muench said the event has grown.

Saturday's was one of the largest crowds they've had, and Muench believes it's also one of the largest years for the number of tractor registrations. At last count, 111 antique tractors had showed up.

Nolan Gremaud plays on his uncle's 1935 John Deere tractor at the 2015 Old Timers Day on Saturday in Perryville, Missouri. (Savanna Maue)

The two-day event consists of a petting zoo, old-time machine demonstrations, competitions, a tractor parade, an antique tractor parts swap meet and a mule-jumping competition.

Muench said the last two events are new to the lineup this year, and he hopes they'll be a big success.

Despite rain over the past week, everyone seemed to be in pretty good spirits Saturday. Muench said he was expecting a big turnout because it was too wet for many farmers to get in the fields.

Chatting with friends among the tractors was Stan Johnston, who said the best part of the day is catching up with old friends and talking about something they all have in common -- a love for antiques.

"We just enjoy coming out and looking at the tractors and who's got what," Johnston said. "And when you see one you like better than yours -- and you know how hard you worked on yours to get it the way it is -- you look at the other guy's and just know that that guy worked a little bit harder on his."

Joshua Muench works to start his grandfather Allen Muench's 1938 Case RC tractor on Saturday at the 2015 Old Timers Day in Perryville, Missouri. (Savanna Maue)

Near the back of the grounds, a thrashing machine was hooked up to a 1935 John Deere tractor, and sitting in the driver's seat was almost 2-year-old Nolan Gremaud. Nolan was there with his grandparents, who said they were disappointed to not be out in the field but were excited to show Nolan around.

"They all just liked playing with tractors," Cathy Gremaud said, explaining her family's history. "Nolan's into tractors, too. His two favorite words are 'papa' and 'tractor.'"

Gremaud agreed with the majority of the people that a big draw to the event was catching up with old friends, as well as seeing tractors from throughout the decades.

"There's a lot of different tractors, and it's good for the kids to see them, too," she said.

Four generations of Muenches attended Old Timers Day on Saturday, and Allen Muench couldn't stop smiling when they gathered to take a picture. He was the second generation within his group, and said the love for the machines started when he was young.

"I grew up around farms. My grandparents had a farm, and then I eventually worked on a dairy farm. My dad and I did a little farming, and then in 1990 I went to work with mechanics, and all the guys there were really into antique tractors. So no sooner did I join the club, then I was elected secretary for 12 years."

His oldest tractor is a nonverified 1919 Case he hasn't had the chance to fix, but Muench said he hopes he can verify its correct year.

"What I enjoy most would have to be the companionship, preserving antique tractors and showing their heritage -- preserving the past, I guess you could say," Muench said.

Old Timers Day continues today with Mass at 8 a.m., and the three-mile tractor parade beginning at 9 a.m. at the grounds.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

Perryville, Missouri