There were 106 Vintage (and some new) tractors and drivers who participated in the 2nd Annual Dean Miller tractorcade through the Kalona streets Saturday evening, June 12.

“Most of the tractors were from East Central Iowa but we had one participant who brought in his antique tractor from Indiana,” said Miller. “We had some tractors and equipment dating back into the 1920s and 1930s. One tractor pulled a square baler that required men to hand tie wire on each bale. That dated back nearly 100 years. Another tractor pulled a vintage mower, plus there was other old equipment.”

“I organized the tractor ride through Kalona as an activity to entertain people who needed something special during COVID,” Miller said. “People encouraged me to organize it again this year and it went really well. We may do it again next year if there is interest.”

The tractorcade was organized in the parking lot of Sunnyside Mennonite Church at 14th Street and Highway 22 then zig-zagged through the streets of Kalona on a route established by the Kalona City Council for tractor rides and car cruises. The drive included a loop through the Pleasantview Home parking lot near the cafeteria and ended at the Kalona Sales Barn.

“The tractor owners and drivers were really pleased with the number of people along the streets throughout the route through town,” Miller pointed out. “They really appreciated the waves and smiles of people when the vintage tractors their grandparents and great grandparents used drove by.”

He noted people gather on lawns and under shade trees to watch the tractorcade throughout the route.

“There were many tears of appreciation in the eyes of the drivers when they saw how welcomed they were,” Miller said. “It was really a fun event.”

Miller thanked the congregation of the Sunnyside Mennonite Church for allowing use of their parking lot to organize, The Kalona Volunteer Fire Department to leading the tractorcade, the Washington County Sheriff’s office for traffic control, all the participants and those who came out to watch the tractorcade.

“I also want to thank the Kalona City Council for allowing us to use the streets of the city and the Kalona Sales Barn for use of their parking lot for loading up tractors after the parade,” he added.