A cherished tradition that unites farmers, tractor enthusiasts, and families from across the country rolled through Sully on Tuesday, June 17. The 28th Annual WHO Great Iowa Tractor Ride passed through Sully on Tuesday, with a midmorning pit stop served by Sully Christian School for freewill donation at Key Cooperative enroute to Pella Christian High School for lunch served by FFA members. On Sunday, approximately 400 tractors were registered at Iowa Speedway in Newton where the annual ride returned each night.
The ride was founded in 1996 by WHO Radio Farm Broadcasters Mark Pearson, Gary Wergin, and listener Daryl Hull with just 90 tractors participating in the inaugural journey through Iowa’s towns and countryside. Today, the multi-day event draws families and tractor ride families from across Iowa and around the country to enjoy typical Iowa weather and take in the Iowa scenery from the seat of a tractor for the largest tractor event in the nation with a mission to celebrate Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage, bringing together tractors of all makes, colors, and years.
On Monday, the first day of the ride, 80 miles of riding took the tractors to Mingo, Baxter, and Laurel. Tuesday’s 67-mile route was south of Newton to Sully, Pella, optional stop at Stony Point Barn near Reasnor, and back to Newton. Wednesday, the 50-mile ride traveled to Grinnell, Newburg, Rock Creek State Park, and Kellogg.
A quick check of the registered riders includes Verlan Brand of Grinnell, Roger Bruxvoort of Reasnor, Melvin Dunsbergen of Lynnville and his daughter and husband Julie and Larry Jones of Newton, father-son pair Jim and Austin Milligan of Lynnville, Keith Renaud of Lynnville, Ed Van Kooten of Sully, Dylan Van Dyke of Lynnville, Justin Van Soelen of Sully, Arlyn Van Maanen of Lynnville, and Jerry Woody of Reasnor.
