Southern Farm Days Features Family, Farmalls and Fun

FD6 Grandpa — Farm Days was originally created to help preserve the rural family culture and traditions that are rapidly disappearing. This young fellow is getting a driving lesson during the Parade of Power.

The 15th Annual Southern Farm Days at Lake Waccamaw may have cancelled Sunday’s events, but Saturday’s beautiful weather led to big crowds enjoying all things rural and historical.

The event is sponsored and organized every year by the Cape Fear Farm Heritage Association at the Boys and Girls Home Farm on the third weekend of March. Thousands of visitors turned out for the antique tractors, farm equipment, cars and trucks, a Wild West show, petting zoo, educational booths, an antique yard sale, and all kinds of food and fun.

Bill Thompson, emcee for the event, said he thought Saturday’s Parade of Power featured the most entries ever, ranging from restored 90 year old tractors to customized lawn tractors and even a restored 1923 “land train,” one of the few functional steam tractors in existence. Classic International Farmall tractors and John Deere models dominated this year’s show and parade, although there were Oliver, Allis and Moline tractors than in years past. Several now-defunct manufacturers were represented, with some even featuring steel cleated wheels.

Proceeds from the event go to the Boys and Girls Home Farm, which offers a variety of therapeutic and recreational programs for children.