Here we are again, another show under our belts. And I am late again updating the web page. The 3rd Annual show was a big success. We had over 8,500 people here over those three days. I really don’t know how many we will have this year but every year it has doubled. I think the show will become my other full time job. It is now July and just a few months to go before this year’s show, where does the time go?
We have visitors here all though the year and the one thing that is
brought up all the time is the history that is in one place. We have
so much history here that many people have never seen. We have
machines that were run with small hit & miss motors, tractors that
went and plowed one field after another and other farm equipment
that no one would even thinking of using now. Family was the main
thing in everyone’s life and they worked together to make the farms
run, and the communities worked together to insure everyone
prospered. Our children live in a push button world, washing
clothes, dishes and even watching TV is all push button. Men when
was the last time you got up and changed the TV manually? We have only a few
generations left that know how things were years ago, we need to let
our younger generations see these wonders work. We specially need to
get them involved in this type of show. If we don’t we will be
throwing history down the drain. There is a whole lot of wisdom out
there that needs to be passed down to the younger generation.
Besides the ends and outs of the farm life, the family values and
love needs to be passed on to our children.
We have spoken to a few more clubs that want to come and join us. We
look forward to the tractor clubs coming in and showing everyone how
things work. The Summerset crew (Buddy Hale, Gill & Bill Roberts,
Charlie Black, and Bill Dove) were here and worked with John Schrock
on the steam engines. They make a heck of a crew, full of knowledge
and fun to be around. The Goldsboro club sent their pedal tractor
shed down here for the peddle tractor pulls. Jerry and his wife took
care of that for us and the kids loved it. The children ate them up
and loved the tractor pull. I heard a lot about the peddle tractor
pull and just the kids on the peddle tractors themselves. We had
children who had never been on a peddle tractor smiling from ear to
ear. The Central Carolina Antique Power & Equipment Club had a whole
section set up doing demomations. They also loaned us the use of
their corn shellers and water pumps for the kids. We even had one
gentleman from Argentina here demonstrating the steam operated
washing machine and fan that he donated to the show. (Thank you
Richard)
This year we will have another tractor pull on the 7th. They have
agreed to start at 11 am to enable those who wanted to join in on
the tractor ride. OPPTA said that last year was the biggest tractor
pull ever. The turnout was great and I feel that it also enhanced
our show. So they will be back again this year, so those who want to
sign up!
The tractor ride will start again at the Fair grounds at 9 am and
end here. We hope to extend the ride this year so you can see the
big sites of Carthage. We had about 10 tractors in the ride last
year. They went around the circle, then down by the nursing homes
and then here. I will start working with the city here in the next
few weeks.
We are also inviting the car clubs back again this year. Last year I
know my mouth hit the ground as they started pulling in one group
after another. They surprised us with a large variety of cars and
said more will come this year. I almost ran out of room to put them.
Ken and I are working on how we will do that this year. Those clubs
that will be joining us this year please give me a call and let me
know how many to expect so we can have enough room for everyone. (I
have also seen them in the tractor rides, hint, hint)
Each year it gets more expensive to have this show. We have not
charged up to this point and hate the ideal of charging but we will
have to this year. Last year we had a few sponsors, this year I hope
and need to get more. We can also take donations, everything and
everyone helps. I am hoping to get enough sponsors involved that we
can keep the admission cost down and still continue to grow. The
cost of admission will be $5.00, children 6 and under get in free.
If you come for two days the admission is $8.00, for 3 days is
$10.00. They will give everyone color bands at the gate, so be
patience with us since this is the first year we will have done
this.
Another new thing this year will be the auction that will take place
Saturday, November the 7th at 9:30 am. C & A Auction
www.caauction.net will be doing
the auction. As it stands right now, things will be out to view on
Friday and the auction will be on Saturday. I don’t know if everyone
knows Carson and Angel from C & A but they are great people. We go
to a lot of their auctions so we are very secure that they will do a
great job. (It is me I’m worried about). As time gets closer, Carson
will be posting things on his web site. So if anyone is interested
in having something auctioned let them know. Later on when his is
ready I will put a link to his web page on here so you can check the
auction out.
We will have the Money in the Hay Stack again this year. The debate
on who had the most fun out of it, the children or the parents and
people watching is still going on. I know when we were done my
cheeks hurt. The water pumps, corn shellers, stilts, and other kid’s
activities will be going again. Oh, I can’t forget the peddle
tractor pull will also be set up.
Steam engines will be out and plowing and doing some pulling. Smokey
Pokey will be giving rides, so will the Stanley Streamer and the
Trolley. We will have other things going too, but why ruin the
surprises. Of course we will have the stores opened for viewing and
be selling penny candy again for the kids (and kids at heart). Also
while in the general store try the coke and peanuts. We are going to
ask that the children be accompanied by a parent while visiting the
stores. Little hands do not understand the value of things and their
parents will. While we are talking about the stores, I am putting up
a red, white and blue tree in the Christmas room. The tree will be a
red with white and blue blubs to honor our troops. If someone wants
to give us a blue or white bulb with a loved one’s name on it I will
gladly put it on the tree for you. I will talk to my sister in law
about painting names on bulbs if anyone needs help with their bulbs.
Will that not be a wonderful way for 100+ Years of Progress to honor
our troops?
Also that weekend the 5 mile flea market will be going on up the
street. As in previous years we will have the trolley take and drop
people off and then return to bring them back. Every year more and
more people go up there for a few hours or more. Several have had to
ride back on the trolley and go back with their pick-ups to get
their stuff. Lots and lots of things for sale. 5 miles is a big flea
market, I have never been able to get through it all. So come and go
for a ride and enjoy.
Crafters are still welcome to come and sell their wares but must be
able to demonstrate how they make them. Volunteers are also
welcomed. We have stores and buildings that need to be watched. Help
with those that are handicapped, and help with some entertainment
for the younger kids. Men I already have a volunteer to help with
the hussies in the saloon, sorry.
If I am missing anything else, I will and can add more later. Let’s
get the information for the hotels and camping done. The hotels that
have given us good discounts are the Quality Inn in Sanford
(919-774-6411) and the Holiday Inn Express in Southern Pines
(910-693-2280). Both are about 20-25 minutes away and easy to get to
and from. A lot of our visitors have stayed in Sanford and have
enjoyed it and then the Holiday Inn has just been recently built and
wants to join in and help out. When you call make sure you ask for
the Tractor Show Rate. As for camping I am really sorry but we DO
NOT have room for any campers here. People ask all the time but we
don’t have the facility and nor the space but I know of a place
within a few miles, Heritage Campground. Amy has a web page and has
requested that those who can make their reservations on line,
www.heritagecampground.com , if not call 910-783-8810. Also you
can check out the activities she will have going on that weekend. If
enough people make reservations, she will be able to give us a
discount. Her space is limited so make your reservation soon. Once
again, the trolley will be making trips there to pick up and drop
off. The fairgrounds is already full but he said he could take a few
self contained??? Campers. Please let me know so I can get with him
and save you a space.
Ken and I joined the local tractor club, Cape Central Antique Power
and Equipment Club this past year. We have enjoyed belonging to this
group, everyone is super nice, (which tractor person isn’t). They
came out here last year and set up a nice display of working
equipment. At one point they were threshing using a steam engine.
Boy did that draw a crowd of people. They made grits and corn meal.
That fresh corn meal makes the best corn bread. We joined them for
Plow Day in Sanford and Ken and our friend Richard plowed with a
Pamper (I know that is spelled wrong). I had a tour group here and
was unable to get down there until later that day. Ken was as happy
as a kid in a candy store. C-Cape is a small club but is growing.
They put on the Plow Day in Sanford, and are involved in several
parades there in Lee County. During the Lee County Fair they put on
a big show for the crowds. They also do a wagon ride for some of the
nursing homes and make them homemade ice cream. C-Cape is a great
asset to Lee County and our show. They continue to try to pass on
the tradition of the “Old Days”. So please come and support them and
the other clubs that take time out of their busy lives to help us
put on this show.
Now will be a good time to thank those that helped last year. Riddle
Equipment and Clapp Brothers sent tractors over to use in the
tractor pull, Gaddy’s Port a Johns, Richmond Rental, Aberdeen Coca
Cola, and Carolina Carriage gave us discounts. Dave and his crew
from Rymark Buildings, Steve and his mother, Betty from Windyhills
Landscaping, Beth from Granny’s Attic, and Dan from Taylormade
Cabinets, Willis and his friends from Quality Mills, Donny and his
son from Tipton and Young Construction Co. gave us their time. Music
was done at no charge so thank you Gospel Chapel of Carthage and
Marvin & his polka band. We had several church groups that came and
helped with Kid’s stuff so thank you to New Convert Church and the
Gospel Chapel. We also had the bags for the penny candy in the
general store given to us by Southern States here in Carthage. Tyler
from Lee Moore Insurance gave us some money that went to the candy
for the general store. Sheree’s Flower Shop gave our bride in Mary
Ann’s Tuck and Sew Shop a beautiful bouquet. Also thank you to Union
Pines for your Future Teachers of America for your help with our
special needs group. If I forgot anyone (and I think I am) please
forgive me.
Now a special thank you goes out to our families. Martin Eder (Ken’s
Father) took such good care of the saw mill throughout the year and
then ran it for us. Mike, Buck and Joe Eder all came and helped in
the saw mill. Mary Ann Eder who helped support us all and kept
everyone in good eats. Everyone wife’s Sherry, Kara and Barb for
letting us use their husbands for the weekend. My daughters, Amanda
and Rhonda and their big sister Kristy for putting up with me and
doing everything I asked of them to do. Vicky came to help and only
could stay for a couple of days, we look forward to seeing and
working with her and Toni this year. (Vicky you’re cooking was
missed.) Our families support means a lot to us. Our tractor family
and friends continues to grow every year. Ken and I also want to
thank our men and Barbara that work for us, they busted butt the
week of the show.
Ken and I look forward to seeing everyone again this year. It has
been our pleasure to open up our collection to those that can really
appreciate the history behind it. If you need any help or have any
questions please feel free to call me 919-708-8665. We have an email
address now
patti@edervillenc.com, so if you want to email that will great
too.
So see you soon.
Patti Eder
Please come and join Ken and Patti Eder for their
4th annual fun-filled tractor show!!!