Happenings at the 2025 Half Century of Progress

What can you say about the Half Century of Progress, the largest vintage farm show in the US? For many of us, it is all you think, breathe, and do for many a day, week, month and in some cases years! It takes a magnitude of effort on the part of the volunteers that put this amazing event together. Hats off to those that worked so hard for the 2025 show! The theme for 2025 was Feeling the Earth Move. From the leaders, to those that helped take tickets. Thank you all.

Transfer of power!

John Fredrickson has been part of the Half Century leadership for almost a decade. John shared his Half Century Journey. “I officially retired from being the Half Century Co-Chair in July of 2024.”

His tenure as co-chair with Russell Buhr began in 2016 after the passing of the late, great Darius Harms. John has been a steady rock. His role has been passed on to Darius’s son Derek, which seems so fitting!

Thank you, John, for all you did for so many years and continue to do!

Anniversaries at the show! The Farmall 1206.

This year at the Half Century Show, there were a multitude of celebrations. In 2023, the Allis Chalmers collectors held a 50th Anniversary for the D21 model. This was such a big success, that this year they celebrated the Farmall 1206 tractor’s 60th anniversary. Brad Twiss started a serial # archive for the 1206’s. Later this was taken over by Kristin Gall. Together, the two put their efforts and energies into bringing what might be a record of 263 – 1206 tractors to the 2025 Half Century show in Rantoul, Illinois.

The John Deere 4020 story

Friends of Green support the Half Century of Progress. They help out with Historic Farm Days at Penfield, Illinois. At the show, organizing the 60^th anniversary of the John Deere 4020 tractors. Ed Winkleman and Chris Elliott headed up the 4020 Gathering.

The 4020 may be the most popular tractor built of John Deere’s New Generation. The 4020 came in gas, diesel, and LP and was the first to offer the powershift. “As of Friday, of the show, we had 113 4020’.” Ed said.

He added they had a 4020 hi crop from Florida. There were 4020’s from Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and on and on. “Collectors were from everywhere,” Ed added.

100 Years of Caterpillar.

Mike Timmons said about 100 Years of Caterpillar. , “A year and a half ago we started to reach out to Facebook friends in clubs, equipment companies and shows.”

They responded, and this became a group effort. Mike’s group is Tempered Tracks Rustic Rails. He was helped by Heartland Earthmovers, and friends, David Tallon and Clayton Smith. There were also collectors that gathered to celebrate this century event.

The Caterpillar Company was formed in 1925. They merged with Holt Manufacturing Company, and the C.L. Best Tractor Company. Mike said, “Our goal was to have 100 different CAT pieces.” They achieved this and more. “We had 118 Caterpillar items and 15 other brands along with four models.”

Conversion Tractors and Doodlebugs.

Mark Dozier approached my husband Keith with the idea of bringing conversion tractors to the Half Century of Progress.

It was the first time for them.

Mark shared, Conversion tractors and doodlebugs showcase farmer’s creativity, and each piece is different. All the ones that came to our exhibit, even if they were a conversion tractor that used the same kit, were unique,” Mark shared.  “Most had a single transmission, and they were mostly converted from Ford Model A’s and T’s.” Doodlebugs are cars with items added that could make them work like a tractor, depending on what they had on hand. Each one of these is completely its own creation.

There were lots of questions about these fun tractors!

Tradition

The show was kicked off with the tractor drive headed up by famed broadcaster, Max Armstrong. 100 plus tractors took part. Before the show started each day it opened with the Star-Spangled Banner, and the raising of the Big Flag. Most evenings ended with a tractor pull.

The rest!

There were stationary tractors. There were tractors working in the field. Of course, there was steam!

Whether you came to see the Big Flag, celebrate the anniversaries, or just something different, it was there.

There was meeting of the minds.

Finding a product you couldn’t live without.

Or just to see friends, it was there.

The end!

It was over in a flash, like it always is. I compare it a bit to Thanksgiving Dinner. You clean and cook for days. Plan ahead, invite friends and family. The big day arrives, and then, just like that, it is over.

The 2025 show is done, but they will be back in 2027, as my brother-in-law Wayne says, “God willing and the creek don’t rise .”