More than 2,000 tractors, cars, trucks and motorcycles are set to descend on North Yorkshire this weekend as an annual tractor festival returns with more exhibits than ever before.
Hundreds of vintage tractor and engine enthusiasts are expected to attend this year’s Tractor Fest, taking place on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, at Newby Hall and Gardens, in Ripon.
Amongst the exhibits will be models from big names in the tractor manufacturing industry, such as Allis Chalmers and Fordson.
In addition, visitors can expect to experience a showcase of harvesting and threshing machinery, as well as working vintage machinery and displays from specialist marque clubs.
This year, the festival focuses on celebrating orange tractors. One such tractor going on display, is a 1938 orange Fordson which is owned by Jonathan Craske, 23, of Northallerton, a keen collector of vintage tractors.
Jonathan, who also works at a tractor dealership in Brockhills, Thirsk, described renovating his Fordson in time for the event. He said: “I acquired the Fordson in December 2022 to refurbish and it’s been a complete renovation because it was a pile of bits when I got it.
“I’ve rebuilt it and got it working with the help of friends and family so it’s up and running and driveable. The last part of the renovation was to repaint it so it’s orange and shiny for Tractor Fest.”
Another orange tractor on display among the stationary engines will be a 1981 Kubota 7100 HST, owned by Mark Nicholson, chair of the West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.
Over the weekend, it will be put to work pulling a water bowser which helps to keep all the engines cool.
He shared the history of his tractor, saying: “I bought the tractor in 1981 and it’s in totally original condition. It has over 23,000 hours on the clock and will be working for many years to come.”
Tractor Fest will also mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings with the display of a life-sized knitted tank stitched by the Ripon Community Poppy Project. Taking 10 months to complete, the creation is based on a Churchill AVRE tank which was deployed during the D-Day landings, measuring an extraordinary 24ft (7.3m) long, 9ft (2.7m) wide, and 7ft (2.1m) high.
The festival also promises plenty of fun family activities, with mini tractor driving, colouring, face painting, crafts, and a range of interactive exhibits as well as refreshments being available.
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Sponsors of Tractor Fest include Cheffins and Econ Engineering, Europe’s leading agricultural and machinery auctioneers, and Ripon Farm Services.
The event takes place at Newby Hall and Gardens in Ripon on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are priced at £18 for adults, £15 for children, £54 for a family ticket (two adults and two children), with free entry for under 4s.
Tickets are available online at https://www.newbyhall.com/event/tractorfest-8th-9th-june-2024/.
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