Southeast Michigan Antique Tractor and Engine Association returns with enthusiasm to Carleton area

People from across southeast Michigan and northern Ohio gathered at Nike Park in Carleton to view, appreciate and show antique tractors.

It was the 33rd Annual Southeast Michigan Tractor and Engine Show and the first time that the show was held since 2019. The featured tractor of the show was International Harvester, but all makes and models were welcome. Many members brought Ford or John Deere tractors, in addition to the many IH on display.

Everett Eggert, president of the Southeast Michigan Antique Tractor and Engine Association (SMATEA), was excited to be able to bring the event back after the hiatus caused by the COVID pandemic.

“We usually get about 200 tractors and countless visitors,” Eggert said.

Many people attended the show to participate in the demonstrations, visit the flea market or to simply admire the tractors on display. There was no shortage of activities from a live auction, tractor baseball, kid’s rides, food vendors and the highly anticipated parade.

The auction was hosted by Braun & Helmer Auction Service. Many machines, tools, tractors, toys and memorabilia were up for sale. The pinnacle item for bid was a John Deere Model B.

“We are thrilled to be a part of something that promotes agriculture in the area,” said David Hemler, certified auctioneer and appraiser. “We like to do what we can.”

“I come out just to look,” Mike Goode said. Goode is from Carleton and appreciates the simple and neat aspects of the old tractors. He has attended this event for many years, and was very excited to be able to attend again after the long break.

Gary Liedel of Dundee has been a member of SMATEA for 20 years, and has attended the Carleton tractor show for just as long. Liedel enjoyed the antiques and flea market, and was proud to show his Massey Harris 444 alongside the other machines. He restores tractors as a hobby with his friends, and has nine machines besides the one he brought to the show. He attends shows and parades whenever he is able.

The show drew in tractor enthusiasts of all ages.

Steve Roznowski of Temperance brought his three of his children, Gabriel, 9, Isaac, 5, and Clara, 2, to look at the antiques. While they are not members of the club or currently showing a tractor, he and his family hope to be able to do both someday soon.

“We enjoy looking,” Roznowski said. “At some point we want to be more involved. Right now we’re still learning together.”

As a family, they are working on restoring a 1947 Farmall A, and so the group spent time looking over a completely restored one on display. Since their tractor is currently disassembled in the workshop, they liked thinking about the day when the machine was finished and able to be shown. Gabe can’t wait for the time when their tractor is put together and running.

Since this is the first show in three years, SMATEA didn’t know what their expectations should be for a turnout. They had hundreds of people attend across the three days of the show, but hope that it continues to grow in the future. Now that the show is back and people hear about it, the goal is for the 2023 event to be even bigger.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Antique tractor show returns to Nike Park