Heritage tractor run for good cause
By Patrick Cooley, pcooley@mariettatimes.comArticle Photos
More than 40 tractors made their way from the Waterford Fairgrounds around Washington County on Saturday morning.
They were part of the third annual 50-mile Heritage Run, an event set up by local farmers to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
"We drove to Palmer, crossed 550 to Cutler, went to Veto and then back to Barlow," said Dan Schwendeman, 48, of Waterford, who drove a tractor in the run.
The tractor drivers were greeted with a steak dinner at the Barlow Fairgrounds, something which had not been featured in previous years.
Many of the drivers listed a common theme when asked about the drive.
"We loved the scenery," said Melvin Schwendeman, 46, of Waterford, Dan Schwendeman's brother.
"Some of the roads we drove I had never been on before," Dan Schwendeman said. "It's nice because there was always someone out on their porch waving at you."
Darren Ball, 39, of Watertown, said he enjoys the camaraderie of the event.
"It's something to look forward to every year and it's a fun time," he said. "There was nice weather today, and it's a good time being around everybody."
"It's relaxing, and it's for a good cause," said Lisa Pinkerton, 40, of Palmer.
Ball said the run was a little different than last year.
"It was a little bit longer," he said. "There was a lot better turnout."
The run doubled in size from last year, having 44 tractors, and a wagon, which pulled anyone who wanted to participate but did not have their own tractor. Last year, the run had a little more than 20 tractors and no wagon.
"We wanted to have a baby-sitter," said Kenny Ball, one of the organizers. "We didn't want kids riding on the tractors with their parents, didn't want anyone getting hurt.'
Kenny Ball said they raised about $1,500 last year, but would probably be short of that this year.
"Last year we had a tractor pull in the evening," he said. "The pullers donated some money to us when they were finished."
Bernard Heiss, another organizer, said that, after expenses, they would probably end up raising $8 per person.
