Mattoon mall filling up with antique tractors for upcoming farm shows (2024)

MATTOON — The Coartney family drove three gleaming John Deere tractors throughtheCross County Mall concourseSunday evening as they helped prepare forthe East Central Illinois Antique Farm Equipment Club's upcoming shows.

Torri Coartney of Ashmore said these working farm tractors aren't just antiques, they are also heirlooms. For example, she said the1968 John Deere 4020 that she drove has been in the family since her late father-in-law, Doug Coartney, purchased it new from the local dealership.

Her family is among those who have answered the club's call to showcase "heritage tractors" at the Farm Show, Friday-Sunday, and the Spring Tractor Show, March 8-10. Co-organizer Justin Thomas said the theme celebrates tractors that have been passed down through families for decades.

Torri Coartney said her father-in-law, who passed away at age 66 on Sept. 15, was actively involved with the club. She said he would have enjoyed seeing his John Deere 4020 cleaned up and gleaming on display at the shows.

"Having it here really means a lot," Torri Coartney said, adding that her family spent day cleaning the "gunk" off of this working tractor. "I've never seen it looking like this."

Her husband, Kell Coartney, said the fact that they still regularly use theJohn Deere 4020 and other antique tractors on their farm has actually made them easier to maintain and care for over the years. He said these tractors and their components are not sitting idle and breaking down.

Thomas estimated that the club will have 30-40 tractors and other antique farm equipment on display at the show, adding that some entries will continue to arrive this week and next week.

Both shows also will offer a variety of family activities. There will be pedal tractor pulls at 1 p.m. Saturday and March 9, with registration at 12:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Battle Creek Country Band at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Tom Campbell & The Country Boys at 6 p.m. March 9.

There will be broom corn and rope making demonstrations during both shows, collector Chris Karr's farm toy display and a B&G Antique Tractor Parts booth at the Farm Show, and the annual quilt show at the Spring Tractor Show.

Lincoln Heritage Pheasants Forever will once again have a conservation program information booth at both shows. Chapter leaders Matt and Paula Homann said the booth will have a new addition this year — a virtual game for skeet shooting clay targets.

The chapter organizes aYoung Guns youth competitive shotgun clay target shooting team. Team member Quinn Kohler of Mattoon was named ScholasticClay Target Program state champion in handicap trap last year and Vincent Will of Charleston was named the state champion in skeet.

Matt Homann said the Young Guns team is open to ages fifth grade through high school from Coles County and neighboring counties.

"We are just getting started practicing again," Homann said of preparations for the 2024-2025 season.