The 18th Annual California Antique Farm Equipment Show, showcasing the agriculture industry's heritage, will be held April 15-17 at the International Agri-Center. This year's show highlights Holt, Best and Cat, along with many one-of-a-kind antique tractors that you will only see in Tulare.

This show features over 900 exhibitors from throughout California and the United States, displaying their antique tractors, engines and other antique farm equipment. Each year the daily Antique Tractor and Truck Parade draws over 400 entries, and the parade has become one of the highlights of the show.

This family event features a Kiddie Korral and Pedal Pull Tractor Contest, an arts and crafts area, performances by local organizations from karate to dance, a very popular swap meet of tractor parts, a steak barbecue and concert on Saturday night and more.

The annual rib cook-off has also become a hot item during the antique show, as contestants vie for top honors and cash in beef and pork divisions.

"This event has met the original objective - to honor and learn from our past - but it's also done much more," noted volunteer Chairman Doug Peltzer. "The antique show is now great, affordable family entertainment, a chance to recognize local youth groups and a fun way to raise funds for the Antique Farm Equipment Museum."

The California Antique Farm Equipment Show began in 1993, as part of a vision to celebrate the region's rich agriculture heritage.

Long-time International Agri-Center volunteers George Watte and Robby Soults traveled to Vista, California, to attend an antique farm equipment show. On their journey home, they said, "We oughta have a show like this, we've got the place."

Watte had a few pieces of antique equipment he had been collecting over the years, and a number of other Agri-Center volunteers shared the same passion. Their dream was to host an event featuring antique farm equipment to show today's generation the equipment of yesterday and give them the opportunity to learn about how farming has changed throughout the years.

Watte served as the chairman for the first two years the California Antique Farm Equipment Show was held. The first show was a huge success, and by the third year, it had tripled in size.

Today, in addition to the annual antique show, the Antique Farm Equipment Museum is open year-round at Heritage Complex on the grounds of the International Agri-Center. The museum, and AgVentures! Learning Center, provide visitors of all ages the chance to learn about agriculture of the past and today. A fundraiser for the museum is held during the Antique Farm Equipment Show each year.

Admission to the California Antique Farm Equipment Show is $8; children under 12 are admitted free of charge.

For updates and more information on the California Antique Farm Equipment Show, visit antiquefarmshow.org or call 800-999-9186.