Tractor pull: Orrville event pulls in music and antique fans

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 7, 2004

Times-Journal News Editor

Sounds of Bluegrass and gospel music wafted through the streets of Orrville Saturday as people milled about

enjoying the autumn day.

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Organizers of the third annual Orrville Antique Tractor and Car Show couldn’t have asked for better weather as the visitors wandered through the various booths, checked out the antique cars and tractors, picked up a bite of barbecue at one of the concession stands or just tapped their toes to the sweet southern music.

The event is a fund-raiser put on by the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department and attracts tractor enthusiasts from all around south Alabama.

“It’s becoming fairly common,” Gilbert Lofton of the Southern Antique Iron Association of the connection between volunteer fire department and antique tractor shows. “It’s a way for them to raise a little money and a way for us to get out and show off.”

The day started early with bluegrass and gospel music.

The events were dedicated to Orrville native and tractor enthusiast Bill McDaniel, who recently passed away.

The emcee for the day, Big Daddy Lawler, reminded the crowd why they were there.

“This is all about the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department, to enhance their ability to help the local people fight fires,” he said.

Lawler also noted that they had “way” more cars than last year.

In addition to the music, there were horse drawn carriage rides, crafts and of course lots of antique cars and tractors.

“We have a lot of fun with our old Iron,” Bob Wade of Wetumpka said.