A Slice of time at Historic Farm Days

The 2026 Historic Farm Days in Penfield Illinois takes place July 9-12. Congratulations to the I & I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club celebrating their 50th anniversary at the same time that the US is celebrating 250. What a special occasion!

We attended on the 9th, only able to go for one day this year. But it was a fun one. A bit steamy, but nice. The hubby brought along a battery-operated fan, and I must say, it was a life saver. If you have not invested in one of these babies, I thoroughly recommend it!

Book signing event

This show is a sentimental one for Keith and I with many connections. One of those connections, the Friends of Green allowed me to be part of their booth. Located near the old Penfield grade School where they have a magnificent agricultural museum housed inside. I met many new friends and got a chance to reminisce with others as well.

The highlight of my day, besides seeing old friends was having Max Armstrong sign my new book, True Farm Girl Adventures. Max was kind enough to do a forward for me. As I keep repeating, and can’t say often enough, “Thank you Max!”

True Farm Girl Adventures is available through me, at the Sly Fox Book Store in Virden, Engels on Edwards hair salon in Springfieldm Illinois, or in Kindle form from Amazon .

Allis Chalmers Gathering of the Orange

This year the I & I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club welcomed Allis Chalmers Gathering of the Orange National Show. While all brands were welcome there was a lot of nice Allis Chalmers tractors like the D21 White Demonstrator. I visited at the show with my friend Annie Jansen, and Annie shared, “I have never seen one of those.”

Besides visiting with me, Kent and Annie Jansen brought several tractors to the show. They had their beautiful 1918 6-12 Allis Chalmers tractor that looks like nothing else.

More-

The show had a variety of equipment like construction this road grader is a fun patriotic example.

My favorite find of the day, a 1952 McCormick “50-AW” Hay Baler,

to some neat trucks.

This three-day show has lots going on. This year they added an auction and they are adding a new building to the mix. Just because you went last year doesn’t mean you won’t see something new this year!

Where was the last place you went and found something new?