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AJ’s Garden Tractor Jamboree
May 8, 2010
Oregon, IL
The Inaugural Garden Tractor Show was held on the 13 acre residence of Andy, Lisa and AJ Hinrichs in Rural Oregon, Illinois. This show featured the Hinrichs Garden Tractor Museum. This Barn was built in 2009. It was specifically built to house garden tractors and attachments.
The Barn was built from an old barn and corn crib that were torn down earlier in the year. The original barn was built in 1915, and the Corn Crib was built in 1899. The Barn has new steel roofing and siding on the outside and all the old lumber on the inside. As you enter the barn, it feels like you are walking back in time.
This museum houses over 20 garden tractors from the Hinrichs’ Collection. It also includes various garden tractor attachments. In the haymow there are more garden tractors, old chain saws and an assortment of hand tools. There is even an old work bench from the original barn. Also in the barn, Lee Hinrichs had his John Deere Collectibles on display including: pocket ledgers, pencils, banks, mirrors, old shirts and other memorabilia.
Unfortunately we did not get a very nice day for the tractor show, it was cloudy, windy and cold, but at least it wasn’t raining. The weather did not seem to stop the anxious Garden Tractor Enthusiasts from turning out to experience this new show.
Around 7:00 a.m. the first of 58 registered exhibitors pulled into the grounds and they just kept coming. Tim Hinrichs and Andy joked while we were building the barn saying “If you build it they will come.” Just like in Field of Dreams they did come. We ended up with more than 150 garden tractors on the property and 8 full size tractors. Attendance was estimated around 350 people.
The day started with a Plowing Exhibition by Duane Napper on his JD 820 and newly re-stored 4 Bottom Plow. Jody Yount then disked the freshly plowed ground.
At 10:00, Lee Hinrichs began making rope in the barn. People from the ages of 2 to 92 are fascinated by the rope making demonstration. At 10:30, a parade was led by show host Andy Hinrichs and his son AJ. Many exhibitors joined the parade and proudly announced their name and the make and model of their parade vehicle as they passed the MC Doug Pixler. After the parade, there was a corn planting demo in the field with a JD B and a JD 290 Corn Planter. We planted 8 rows of sweet corn were 4 rows of Green Beans.
By now everyone was hungry, so they went to the lunch stand to see Lisa Hinrichs and her crew. Roast BBQ pork sandwiches, Brats, Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookies and Beverages were on the menu.
The main event, other than the garden tractors was The Tractor-Pult!! What is a Tractor-Pult? It is a catapult built to launch push mowers, bowling balls, small engines and even a Garden Tractor.
This started as a joke one day at work between Duane Napper and Andy Hinrichs. Next thing you know Duane and Andy were drawing up the real thing and building a wooden scale model. The Scale model tested well. So we decided to see what we could round up for parts to build the real thing. Andy found the pieces of steel, pulleys, old cable, springs and a winch, and Duane brought the welder. Andy enlisted a crew to help build the catapult. One Sunday morning Duane, Andy, Tim Hinrichs, Scott Anderson and Brian Heldt welded all the components and assembled the Tractor-Pult. Five hours later we were throwing a push mower thru the air. After a second test and tune, we decided it was ready for the show. Tim and Andy gave it a coat of paint and it was ready.
At the show, we first tossed a bowling ball at a Murray lawn mower parked about 125 feet from the catapult. The staff tossed push mowers and an old tire, and a few more bowling balls. Then there was an attempt to toss a couple stripped down MTD’s. Due to the wind they did not go as fare as we hopped. Every successful event planner has a Plan B so the staff stacked the mowers up and pelted them with Bowling Balls. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, this was their favorite part.
The last planned event of the day was the Poker Run. Lisa and Doug rounded up 10 people to travel the grounds and pick up cards from 5 different people and return to see who had the best hand to win various prizes. It was great fun, and special thanks to our Judge that stepped up to help Lisa determine who had the best hand.
One of the events of the day that amazed Andy was the guys who brought garden tractors for plowing. There was only a small area this year to plow (Lisa’s potato and pumpkin garden) but we thought it would be enough for the first year. This was probably our greatest miscalculation, because it did not take those guys long to plow that area. At least 3 of them went up to the food stand to ask Lisa what else they could plow up. Andy told them they could plow sod if they wanted to where we planted corn. Some of them accepted the challenge. The “Plow Guys” still hadn’t had enough so they decided to pack the garden with their tractors and plow it again. Amazing!!
The show also featured a swap meet. Guys were buying and selling all day. Swap area include Meridian Implement featuring John Deere toys, The Jelly Lady, laser cut garden tractor signs, your typical garden tractors for sale and other cool parts that everyone needs.
The show also had an indoor flea market in Andy’s shop. This flea market included toy garden tractors, die cast toy tractors and semis, handmade wooden toys, wagons and barns. It also included purses and wind chimes. There was something for everyone.
One Exhibitor had a garden tractor he wanted to donate to a museum. Mr. David Dirksen of El Paso, IL had a Wheel Horse 1075, that was very special to him and wanted to find a place that would share all the stories that go along with this tractor with other garden tractor fans. The 1075 was the first hydrostatic garden tractor ever produced. Thank You to David for this generous donation, we will show this tractor off with great pride. It is a beautiful piece!
Many area businesses donated door prizes and tickets were drawn throughout the day. Thanks to all the sponsors who donated all these awesome prizes.
Andy announced that the show was a huge success, despite the blustery day. Everyone interviewed seemed to have a good time. Special thanks to family and friends that helped before, during and after the show. For all the exhibitors that took a chance attending this inaugural show the staff is truly grateful. Finally the staff would like to commend everyone on how clean the show grounds were left. There was not a single piece of trash left on the ground in the show area. Garden Tractor Enthusiasts are probably the most friendly and respectful crowd ever!!
I cannot wait to see everyone next year!!! This show was even a bigger success than imagined. The date is set for May 14, 2011; we are hopping fore a bigger show and maybe even some sunshine.
Andy, Lisa and AJ Hinrichs
1675 South Columbian Rd
Oregon, IL 61061
815-262-6358
www.hinrichscustomwoodworking.com