If you enjoy the roar and belching of engines and like antique farm machinery on display and in action, then the Consolidated Sportsmen’s Grounds along Route 87 in Plunketts Creek Township is the place for you this weekend, August 2 to 5.

Gravely garden tractors will be the featured tractor at this year’s Show.

“Because of the growing popularity and use of garden tractors, we thought it was the turn of a tractor like Gravely to be our featured tractor,” Bill MacInnis, one of the organizers of the event told “Webb Weekly.”

Gravely has been one of the leading manufacturers of lawn care and landscaping equipment for than 100 years. Their equipment enjoys a fine reputation.

Benjamin Gravely began the business in 1911 with the design of a power driven push plow. In 1922 Benjamin Gravely incorporates Gravely Motor Plow & Cultivator Company for $200,000.

The first Model D — complete with a single wheel and a 2.5-horsepower, water-cooled engine — rolls off the factory floor in1916.

The Gravely Motor Plow & Cultivator Company becomes Gravely Tractor, Inc. Gravely introduced the 424 lawn tractor in 1967.

The last Gravely two-wheeled tractor is produced in 2004.

In 2008, Gravely launches Gravely Turf Equipment, geared toward golf courses and turf management nationwide.

There is, of course, much more going on at the LVAMAA Show than the display of Gravely equipment. The event is going to feature a wide variety of activities that include a parade of farm machinery each day, tractor pulls, which take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11a.m. on Sunday, garden tractor pulls, a working steam-powered sawmill, a lumberjack competition, consignment auction, flea market, and various food and craft vendors. MacInnis said that there will be more than 24 food vendors and more than 100 craft vendors at the show.

A parade of tractors will be held each day that will help spectators see the grand panoply of farm equipment displayed at the show.

One of the most visually interesting and stunning aspects to the show will be the nighttime “Hot Antique Tractor Pulls” held each evening after dark in which a spectacular show of sparks and flames come from the tractors as they are running in this event. This has been one of the most popular events at each year’s show.

Live music will be provided Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. by Aaron Kelly, Friday evening, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. by Top Shelf, and Saturday evening, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. by Lucky Star Afternoon.
MacInnis sounds a cautionary note about the future of the show.

“The average age of people involved in putting on the show is about 65 and we really could use an infusion of younger people to get involved with this,” MacInnis said. “If we don’t, then I am afraid for the future continuance of this event.”

Admission price for the LVAMFA show (daily) – adults: $5, children 12 and under are free. Best Buy! – 4 Day Pass: $12, $3 for adults all day on Thursday and Sunday.

For other information access the website at http://www.lvamassoc.org.