:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/7DITZCUV53D33Y62GGOCOVUMCM.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/F6K2U22QQORENQFXEEPKICUVRM.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/KNWJKJC7OP4BUFP7LBHC223APE.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/JU5Y5CZHA5MEWX37WQ5LBIGU44.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/3TFGNNLQ4FRVIW5IGBK5NRTBQU.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/IV4UTRBCXYCIBKAIQNQFLWXZLQ.jpg)
By Chris Johnson
Reporter
Three or four colors readily come to mind when you think about garden tractors.
However, a rainbow of hues, including white, blue, green, and every combination imaginable, were on display last weekend along Columbian Road.
More than 300 of these garden tractors were on display May 17 during the fifth annual AJ’s Garden Tractor Jamboree.
The Pennsylvania Panzer is a bright blue garden tractor.
One of these classics was brought to the show by Don Joy, Lombard.
“The paint on these tractors was a 1957 Chevy Robin Egg blue,” he said. “These tractors were made in the 1960’s and this one is one of the last models.”
Joy was displaying a 1969 example.
“The unique thing is it has a belt drive shifter,” he said. “It also has a Chrysler rear end with brakes.”
He said the brakes can be applied separately to aid in turning.
As Joy was explaining the features of his tractor it was apparent that he loved garden tractors.
Event organizer Andy Hinrichs owns a collection of garden tractors and created the event to bring fans of garden tractors together.
“We are getting more tractors every year at this jamboree,” said Hinrichs. “It was a fabulous turnout today.”
Some of the tractors on display included MTDs, Case, Wheel Horse, Red E’s, White, John Deere, Ford, Morris, and Springfields.
“I think we are getting 300 tractors this year,” said Hinrichs.
The day was filled with activities to keep everyone in attendance busy.
Tractors lined up down the driveway to participate in the opening tractor parade where more than 40 participants rode around the festival grounds.
Other events included garden tractor plowing, games, rope making, and a poker run.
Weather turned out to be no issue for the jamboree.
“We were worried Friday with the snow,” said Hinrichs. “When I woke up to set up today there was frost on the ground.”
When the sun rose, temperatures followed suit. A sunny sky with few clouds in sight warmed the air to the low 60s throughout the day.
Walking around the jamboree small groups were gathered around different tractors. The people were sharing stories of why they like certain brands of garden tractors and the fun they have with owning and sharing their tractors with others.