South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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BN08-21: Antique Tractors Pull Crowds

Recent History – 1999

July 2, 1999

Patsy Nagel, Contributing Writer

Four years ago, the Gordondale Community decided to add something to their annual picnic. An antique tractor pull got the nod. From a beginning of 14 tractors, the interest has grown until this year a total of 28 vintage models arrived on Saturday, June 26, 1999.

Competitions were held for all models, grouped according to their horsepower. The tractors all had to be manufactured before 1958. Three machines were 1928 models, one John Deere, one Hart Parr and one McCormick Deering 10-20.

In order to have their own sled for the pulls, several members of the community got together and built one. The materials and labour were all donated and the group have a pulling sled they can be justly proud of.

The weights are large barrels filled with cement. It works very well.

Winners and second place each received trophies with old tractors on the top – very unique and appropriate.

Winner in the 10 horsepower class was Jim Lindsay with a Massey 20, second place went to Doug Hergot with his Farmall A. In the 20 horsepower class, Ernie Cobert took first with his Hart Parr, and Donna Macklin’s Cockshutt 70 was second.

In the 30 horsepower class, David Day was first with his D Case and Kim Jones placed second with a John Deere D. The 40 horsepower class was won by Blair Crandall with a John Deere R and second went to Brain Matkowski also with a J.D.R.

The fifty horsepower class was won by Gary Dixon with a John Deere 730 with second place going to Ralph Potratz with his big yellow Minneapolis.

Toby Jones won a first with his 20 horsepower John Deere D on steel and John Zwick, from Hines Creek, got a first place with his 40 Horsepower Hart Parr also on steel.

Peoples’ Choice trophy went to a beautifully restored and painted Cockshutt 40 owned by Les Enedy.

Dale Campbell again did the announcing for the competition. Most of the trophies were sponsored by local businesses in the Gordondale area. Idletime Enterprizes of Wanham, Alberta. designed the trophies.

Other activities included horseshoe tournaments, a dunk tank, bingo, a vintage car show, and of course a food booth was in operation all day. After a chilli and salad supper, a dance was held with music by Colt ‘45’, a great way to end a great day.

This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.

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