Old Iron Antique and Vintage Tractor Parade a success

    Saturday, June 1, 14 tractors pulled away from the Imperial Auction Market to start a 23.5 mile parade of tractors. It has been nearly a year since the first meeting of the club on July 2, 2023.
    Local drivers in the parade were Kaden McArthur, Austin Smith, Stan Cross, Dan Rowley, Mary Sparks and Jerry Varilek, all of the Imperial, Champion and Lamar area.
    Seven drivers traveled to drive in the parade, some from Kansas, Colorado and neighboring communities in Nebraska.
    They includeded Bob Golding - Stratton, Nebraska, Tom Solko - Herndon, Kansas, Eldon Zimblman - St. Francis, Kansas, Brian Bush - Haigler, Mike Poe - Holyoke, Colorado, Lee Streckmeyer - Holyoke, Colorado, Steve Olson - Haigler and Conrad Nelson - Wallace.
    Leroy Grams stated that he wished to thank all the tractor drivers and their “Honeys”, including their partners and machines for their participation in the local groups tractor drive.
    When the tractors left Imperial Auction Market they traveled to the Imperial Manor where residents had a chance to see the tractors and visit with the drivers about their tractors.
    From the manor, the tractors took the highway through Champion and out to the swinging bridge property owned by John Flood.
    Flood gave the group an overview of the old Hoffmeister property, including the swinging bridge which still stands. Grams referred to the property as “a little piece of Heaven” in Chase County.
    The next stop for the group was another little piece of heaven at Jeannine Cox’s ponds. The Isaac Walton Group was sponsoring a kids fishing day at the ponds and invited the tractor group to join them for lunch. The Ike’s crew grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and served potato salad, calico beans and some treats for dessert. The group was also grateful for the use of the outhouse on the property.
    From the ponds, the tractors headed back into Champion where they stopped at the Champion Mill and dry lake. Grams said he wished they would have had time to go through the mill and to the Chase County Museum while they were there, but that will have to be another time.
    The last leg of the drive took the group to the shop of Bart Stromberger and his collection of Antique Oliver Tractors. Stromberger told them about each year and series of tractor and how some of these tractors had been a part of his family’s history.
    Stromberger fired up one of the tractors that filled the shop with the sound of power. The tractor had no mufflers and straight pipes, making it quite loud.
    Grams said he would like to thank Preston Smith of the Imperial Auction Market for the use of their parking lot to unload and load all the tractors. He also expressed thanks to the Imperial Manor for allowing their residents to come out and see the tractors, John Flood for the invitation to the swinging bridge property, Jeannine Cox for bringing the group to Cox’s Ponds, Clint Johnson and the SW NE. Ike’s club for serving them a free lunch and Bart Stomberger for the Oliver Tractor tour at his shop.
    Grams deemed their June 1 outing to be a high-end success, not only from his personal observation, but from comments from other people. He was proud that there were no safety incidents and only enthusiasm and love of old antique tractors. He also appreciated the perfect weather on Saturday.
    Grams next goal is to get more young women and men involved to a higher degree. He has met with the FFA chapters in Imperial, Grant and Trenton and put out an open invitation for any other chapters who are interested to give him a call. This group is willing to travel and speak to all who show an interest.
    Anyone wishing to donate tractors, become drivers, give a suggestion or gripe, be their drone pilot or photographer or videographer, or just tractor enthusiasts are welcome to call Grams at 308-882-5449.
    Lastly, Grams wanted to thank anyone who has contributed to the success of the group, including The Imperial Republican, Grant Tribune, Holyoke Enterprise and The Benkelman Post for the coverage of the group.
    Watch the papers for an announcement of the next meeting.