The 69th Annual Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days Parade of Tractors kicked off the four-day festivities with over 200 tractors making their way from Hesper, IA, a hamlet of fewer than 100 people to Mabel, MN, a village of 823 residents.
Table of Contents
The Parade is Starting
Leading the way is the local Grenadiers from Mabel, MN, a staple in area parades.
The Blue Ford Tractor
The only blue Ford tractor in this year’s parade stood out among the red, green, orange, and yellow tractors.
Red, White, and Blue
The red, white, and blue adorned many entries.
Multi-Generational Entry
This entry tugs at my heart – a grandpa and his grandson.
Parade Characters
Quite the character.
Wagon Rides
A favorite fall activity among farmers in the driftless region is hayrides, so it is no surprise that locals take advantage of parades to enjoy wagon rides.
The Next Generation
What is your favorite color of tractor? Red, yellow, green, orange, or blue.
Cleans-Up Real Nice
A class act.
Women Drivers
Women have always driven tractors on the farm, now more and more of them are showing up in the Parade of Tractors.
Date Night
A couple spending the evening on a John Deere tractor.
Tractor parades are a common occurrence in my neck of the woods, so make plans to attend one. If you are invited to take a wagon ride, make sure to say yes.
The Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days celebration is the first weekend after Labor Day each year; the Parade of Tractors kicks off the weekend festivities on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Hesper.