The Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days Parade of Tractors kicks off the four-day celebration with over 200 tractors making their way from Hesper, Iowa, a hamlet of fewer than 100 people to Mabel, MN, a village of 823 residents.
The Parade is Starting
Leading the way is the local Grenadiers from Mabel, MN, a staple of area parades.
The Blue Ford Tractor
The only blue tractor in the 2021 parade stood out among the red, green, orange, and yellow tractors, plus it is a small Ford tractor which brings back memories of the small tractor I drove as a young girl on the family farm.
Red, White, and Blue
The red, white, blue adorn many entries.
Multi-Generational Entry
This entry tugs at my heart – a grandpa and his grandson.
Parade Characters
Quite the character as he always is in the tractor parade and has a wave and smile for everyone.
Wagon Rides
A favorite fall activity among farmers in this “neck of the woods” are the tractor rides, so it is no surprise that locals take advantage of parades to enjoy wagon rides with family and friends.
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 the Driftless region, 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.