Farm trade shows are many things to many people. They are great places to showcase innovations, display equipment, make deals, meet people and solidify business relationships.
What I didn’t realize until last week’s Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina is that they can also be fun.
At previous farm shows, I was always on the fly as a reporter. This time, I was lucky to be there in less of a reporting role, and more of a roaming role, with direction from our Regina correspondent, Karen Briere, and managing editor Michael Raine.
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There was more time to absorb the atmosphere, and I had a riotous good time. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit there was a Disney-esque, kid-like quality to my revels.
First, Karen introduced me to the tram. The tram, pulled by a tractor, takes you around the outdoor displays, and makes it easy to choose the ones you will return to on foot.
The tram is a terrific idea, since it’s covered, protecting from sun and showers, and even creates a little wind chill on a warm day.
Besides, I love rides, as long as they don’t spin.
Then, just as we returned from the tram ride, came the parade. A long line of vintage cars and tractors drove slowly by, and some of them were quite amazing, considering their age. One tiny tractor had to be the oldest piece of machinery still able to self-perambulate.
I later wandered into the lifestyles section, where I ate chicken prepared in some new cookware, drank cold and delicious real lemonade, and sank gratefully into a swinging chair intended for the great outdoors. Of course, you could also buy fudge, but I managed to hold back.
The kid-in-a-candy-store thing continued the next day, when on a tour of the machinery, Michael pointed out the world’s largest tractor, a massive thing created by New Holland and customized with tracks instead of wheels. The track came to about two inches above my head (I’m about average height).
While super-big machinery is not all that new, it still amazes me. I asked Michael to take a photo with me in it so I could show my family the size of this beastie. (What am I, 12?)
I did actually do some work – honest. I just managed to have a heck of a lot of fun while I was at it.
