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!!!