The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the U.S., which is impressive all by itself. But when you add over 1,000 antique tractors crossing the bridge in single file, it’s even more of a spectacle.

Now is the time to sign up for the 10th annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing, according to event organizer and sponsor Bob Baumgras, owner of Owosso Tractor Parts. Baumgras organized the first event in 2008, which drew 614 tractors. With its growing popularity, the crossing last year attracted 1,326 tractor drivers from 48 clubs.

Baumgras’s daughter, Rebecca Canze, has taken over much of the organization of the weekend. She says, “It’s going to be the biggest event ever being it’s our 10th year. We have raffle giveaways, merchandise for sale, tractor games, a euchre tournament, pig roast [for those who purchase tickets in advance], music and more.”

The crossing is the morning of Sept. 8. Participants arrive at the staging area outside Mackinaw City Sept. 5-7.

Two parades are planned for Sept. 8 to help the event run smoothly and prevent congestion. The first parade drives straight to the bridge and begins crossing at 9 a.m. The second parade waits in Mackinaw City and then parades through town before boarding onto the bridge. Once over the bridge, tractors make their way through downtown St. Ignace, where they will stage at Little Bear Arena for the weekend.

For Sept. 9, the morning includes a crowd favorite — tractor games. In the evening, tractors will parade again through St. Ignace. “This is a family favorite because the little ones can participate and ride along,” Canze says. “We don’t have the same requirements as when we are crossing the bridge.”

At the time of this writing, a record 52 clubs had signed up. A count on tractors was too early to say, Canze says. “We have clubs coming from all the surrounding states, as well as Texas and California. Even a participant from Alaska, who crossed last year, is returning.”

About 60% of the participating clubs have been on board since its inception, and several drivers have made the trek all 10 years. Special merchandise with that recognition will be available, as well as a jacket, she says.

Registration, open until Sept. 1, is $65 for drivers and $50 for riders.

The rules
As with any event, there are rules and regulations. Canze offers some of the main requirements:

• Tractors built 1976 and before are the only ones allowed in the parade across the bridge.

• Tractors must be able to maintain a speed of 10 mph.

• Drivers must be 18 years or older.

• Only tractors with pneumatic tires are allowed. All steel wheels or spades, spikes, grouser pads, crawler tracks, spike wheels, steel wheels with solid rubber pads or solid tread will not be allowed to drive in the parade. Canze says those tractors can still be part of the parade but will need to be trailered instead.

• All participants must belong to a participating tractor club. For those interested in joining a club, see the list of clubs accepting new members.

• Extra riders, called “Buddy Riders,” are allowed but only on pre-approved seats.

A full set of rules are available at mackinacbridgecrossing.com, as well as facebook.com/bridgecrossing.

More on the bridge
The Mackinac Bridge, completed in 1957, is the third-longest suspension bridge in the United States and 19th longest in the world at 3,800 feet. The longest bridge of this kind in the U.S. (13th in the world) is the VerraZano-Narrows in New York City at 4,260 feet. The second longest (14th in the world) is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at 4,200 feet.

The longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, which is 6,532 feet. It opened in 1998.