ROME TWP. — Want to learn what life was like on a Lenawee County farm a century ago — or more?

The Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association is holding its annual fall show from Sept. 19-21 at 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian. 

And while there will be tractors — lots and lots of tractors — the show is about more than that.

“It is a living history lesson about what it was like to live on a farm 100 or 150 or 200 years ago,” said Melinda Stubli, a member of the group.

“Our goal is to maintain our farming heritage and teach others about it,” she added.

In addition to the tractor and engine displays, which will be brought to the FATEA grounds by collectors from all over the area, a variety of activities for kids are planned.

Admission to the show is $5, but it’s free for kids under age 12 — and all of the kids’ activities are free as well.

Those activities include a Kids’ Fortune Hunt at noon on both Saturday and Sunday. When the engines blow their whistles, kids will dig for coins in a large box filled with sawdust. 

Kids can also enjoy old-fashioned crafts like tin punching and take a ride in a tractor-drawn train that was donated to the association several years ago by the Bierman family. A variety of games and competitions are scheduled throughout the weekend. 

The club was started in 1982, and after meeting in a number of different places, eventually purchased an 80-acre parcel on Forrister Road that is now the association grounds. 

The fall show has been taking place for 40 years, starting in 1985. 

In 1993, the association started hosting a spring show as well.

The Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association is at 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian.

For more information, find “Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association” on Facebook or call
517-260-3707.

Show schedule

Friday, Sept. 19

• 9:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony, including the National Anthem sung by McKenzie Daugherty.
• 11 a.m.: Line dancers.
• Noon: Lunch whistle.
• 12:45 p.m.: Classic tractor parade.
• 7 p.m.: Fundraising auction.

Saturday, Sept. 20

• 9 a.m.: Opening ceremony.
• 11 a.m.: Transfer sled tractor pulling.
• Noon: Lunch whistle and Kids’ Fortune Hunt.
• 1 p.m.: Kids’ Pedal Pull (registration at 12:30 p.m.).
• 2 p.m.: More kids’ games.
• 3 p.m.: Classic tractor parade.
• 4 p.m.: Steam engine activities.
• 5 p.m.: Live music by Pickin’ Roots.

Sunday, Sept. 21

• 9 a.m.: Religious service.
• 10 a.m.: Opening ceremony.
• 11 a.m.: Lawnmower pulling.
• Noon: Lunch whistle and Kids’ Fortune Hunt.
• 1 p.m.: Kids’ Pedal Pull (registration at 12:30 p.m.).
• 2 p.m.: Steam engine whistle demonstrations.
• 3 p.m.: Classic tractor parade.
• 4 p.m.: Show concludes.