Farm Progress

Slideshow: The 11th annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor crossing draws 1,342 tractors.

Jennifer Kiel, Editor, Michigan Farmer

September 20, 2018

13 Slides

The word has gotten out. One day a year it becomes legal to drive antique tractors over the 5-mile suspension bridge connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. And each year, the tractors keep coming — and not just from Michigan.

Six tractors were trailered up from Arizona and an additional five from Pennsylvania. And a group from Wisconsin drove their tractors through their state and across the U.P. 400 miles to make the bridge crossing Sept. 7.

Drivers came from Canada and 17 states outside of Michigan, including Iowa, Connecticut, Maryland, Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, California, Arizona, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsyl-vania, Texas and North Dakota.

Californians’ adventure
Two Californians — Rod Hiskin, 80, and Jim Escheman, 78 — had interest in the event, and when the word got out, two Michigan tractor owners responded.

After flying into Michigan, Hiskin rode Jim Farley’s International Hydro 84 tractor from Fowler across the bridge, while Escheman rode an Allis Chalmers WC provided by Allen Awalt from Perry.

“Both Jim Farley and Allen Awalt had their tractors delivered to Mackinaw City and back just so the fellas from California could experience the drive,” said Bob Baumgras, owner of Owosso Tractor Parts, who created and organized the event since the first crossing of 614 tractors in 2008.

This year, a total of 1,342 tractors crossed, down slightly from last year’s 10th anniversary record of 1,466. Baumgras said he expects the event, now capped at 1,500 tractors, to range between 1,200 and 1,500 each year. Also making the crossing were 275 buddy riders.

Once across the bridge, tractors were staged at Little Bear Arena in St. Ignace for a public viewing Sept. 8-9. To close the event, about 300 tractors paraded once more through St. Ignace.

Ed Hansen of the Greasy Fingers Two Cylinder Club in Big Rapids was honored as the 2018 Grand Marshal.

“His family helps all year long,” Baumgras said. “They have been great supporters of the event and great friends. No matter what we need, he helps.”

This year’s event also posthumously honored Ed Socolovitch, who passed away in March. “Ed was one of the go-to guys when I started the bridge event,” Baumgras said. “He also was our first grand marshal in 2008.”

Honorary event
In his honor, the first Ed Socolovitch Tug-of-War competition was created, pitting John Deere fans and Case IH fans.

While tractor games were held Sept. 7-8, this event was solely based on human strength.

“As it turned out, the Case IH fans won the tug pretty quickly,” Baumgras said.

Ed’s family participated in the tug of war — on the Case International side of the rope — and received the trophy on behalf of the Case International team.

Before crossing the bridge, the Socolovitch family led the parade in downtown Mackinaw City. “Ed would have gotten a big kick out of it for sure,” Baumgras said.

Check out the photos and read some of the stories told to Michigan Farmer by participants at this year’s event.

About the Author(s)

Jennifer Kiel

Editor, Michigan Farmer

While Jennifer is not a farmer and did not grow up on a farm, "I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone with more appreciation for the people who grow our food and fiber, live the lifestyles and practice the morals that bind many farm families," she says.

Before taking over as editor of Michigan Farmer in 2003, she served three years as the manager of communications and development for the American Farmland Trust Central Great Lakes Regional Office in Michigan and as director of communications with Michigan Agri-Business Association. Previously, she was the communications manager at Michigan Farm Bureau's state headquarters. She also lists 10 years of experience at six different daily and weekly Michigan newspapers on her impressive resume.

Jennifer lives in St. Johns with her two daughters, Elizabeth, 19, and Emily 16.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like