Roof Garden Tractor Buddies celebrate 20 years of driving and dancing

What started out as an idea 20 years ago turned into one of Somerset County's most well-known and beloved groups.

Roof Garden Tractor Buddies, a square dancing tractor ensemble, celebrated its 20th anniversary this past summer with a special banquet at the Allen Rhoads farm near Stoystown. Allied Milk Producers has been their longtime sponsor.

And, while the group has had different members in the last two decades, the man behind the idea is still driving strong. Bill Blough, of the Boswell area, believed a group like this could be successful from the very beginning but it took some convincing at first before it all got off the ground.

"Some people thought in the beginning that it wouldn't work out but we are still here after 20 years and we all enjoy it. This is a family more than an organization," said Blough. "I still find this very satisfying after all these years and it's very rewarding to see how things have come this far."

Blough read a newspaper article in Parade magazine dated Oct. 15, 2000, about a square dancing tractor group in Iowa. The group there used all Farmall tractors with a used John Deere coming in to break up the routine. The men would sometimes dress like women. After talking with many friends and some local farmers, Blough started pursuing the idea of starting a group here but it didn't happen overnight.

"I grew up on a farm and I've been driving a tractor since I was 5 years old. Then, I participated in square dancing through 4-H while I was in high school so the two seemed like a good fit and I thought it might be interesting for others to watch," he said.

Blough talked about the idea for about a year before the first meeting was held Feb. 22, 2002, at King's Restaurant in Somerset. On May 1 of that year, a second meeting was held with a larger group. By May 29, a third meeting called for an election of officers and the name "Roof Garden Tractor Buddies" was decided. On June 19, the very first practice was held at the John Zehner farm in Zehnerville. Carl Schrock and Fred Strang were the first callers.

Now, after all these years, April through September, the group still practices at the Zehner's farm. It has become a well-organized group with bylaws and election of officers.

In the past 20 years, the group has had more than 30 members who participated at more than 200 shows. This past year, members Wayne Yoder, Harry "Sonny" Rhoads and Larry Frazier have died and were remembered with special magnets attached to the tractors.

Over 10 years ago, the group started performing at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg up until a few years ago when the pandemic hit. They have also gone to West Virginia, Titusville and the Delaware State Farm to perform. There was another square dancing tractor group in Selinsgrove but it disbanded a few years ago so the one in Somerset County is the sole group of its kind in Pennsylvania.

Some of their shows this year included Glades Highlands in June, Maple City Tractor Show in July, Bedford County Fair in July, Stoystown Lions and Tractor Festival in August and Somerset County Fair in August. The next and final performance of the year will be at Confluence Pumpkinfest on October 2. Even beyond this year's schedule, they have performed at many Somerset County events in the past and many members with their tractors are entries in the Pennsylvania Maple Festival every year.

And, even though the tractor performances look smooth to the viewer's eye, that isn't always the case. Farmalls, the red ones, and John Deeres, the green ones, have different wheel sizes and different gear ratios so what looks so smooth to spectators is actually quite an effort of coordination and skill on the part of the drivers.

"It takes 99% listening and 1% driving," laughed Blough. "We work together well as a team and it's important to practice again and again."

In July, Allen Rhoads of the Stoystown area hosted a big event for the tractor buddies at his farm. More than 200 people were in attendance and awards were passed out to current members and former members as well. Deceased members were also recognized.

For the past four years Darrel Holsopple, of Hollsopple, has been active with the group and currently serves as the president. He pointed out that the younger members are so instrumental in the future of this group.

"What's keeping us alive is the younger generation," said Holsopple. "Half of the members are under the age of 25 and we wouldn't know what to do without them. It's so nice to see their interest."

Brandon Rhoads, Caleb Antram, Alex Leydig, Ethan Frazier, Justin Holsopple and Tyler Zimmerman are the younger members.

"It's a family thing the whole way around," said Holsopple. "There is such loyalty and dedication on the part of the members of this group that it is astounding. That dedication, a love for tractors and the family atmosphere is why this group has been around for 20 years."

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Roof Garden Tractor Buddies celebrate 20 years of driving and dancing