JONES — The St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association recently announced that its 35th annual Antique Engine and Tractor Swap Meet will be hosted on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at Boot Hill Ranch, 1 and a half miles east of Jones, Michigan, on Bair Lake Street. 

The event will feature vendors selling and trading farm equipment and parts. Collectibles and crafts will be for sale as well. Food will be available on the grounds.  Gate opens at 9 a.m., and donation is $2.  Vendor setup fee is $15. 

The St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association was formed in 1960 and was originally named “Early Days Gas Engine and Tractor.”  In 1972, the name was changed to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association.  The group’s mission is to remember and honor the history and encourage preservation of antique farm equipment, including lawn and garden tractors and implements, said members.

In addition to the Swap Meet, the club puts on the annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show — this year on Aug. 2-4 — and is always scheduled for the first full weekend in August. This year’s show will be the 59th annual Tractor and Engine Show and will also take place at Boot Hill Ranch.  At the August Show, over 180 tractors, 115 garden tractors, along with stationary engines and other equipment will be on display. The owners of the machinery are in attendance to demonstrate and answer questions about their items.  It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of older farm equipment, and farming methods, as well as appreciate the hard work that goes into agricultural production.  Many vendors are at the show, with tractor parts, collectibles, crafts and more. There is a full-service food site available on the grounds, along with tractor parades, kids’ activities, equipment demonstrations and music. 

Also, Thursday, Aug. 1 is the 14th annual Tractor Tour, a scenic tractor ride through the Cass and St. Joseph County countryside.  Contact Terry Bowlby at (269) 445-7210 for more information. Terry Bowlby also organizes the annual tractor drive across the Mackinaw Bridge which takes place in September.  Contact him to learn more.

The Old Engine Association also has a large display of farm and garden tractors each year at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair in Centreville, Michigan.  The fair this year is Sept. 15-21.

Membership is open to anyone interested, and members said no one has to be a farmer or own farm equipment to join.  Garden and orchard tractors and implement owners are welcome and encouraged to join the group, members said. 

Visit SJVOEA.org, the groups Facebook page for more information. 

Vendors are welcome at both the Swap Meet and the August Show.  Set-up fee for vendors is $15, which includes primitive camping on the grounds.  In addition, commercial camping is located next to the showgrounds.  Contact Mary Shirk at (269) 278-4965 or (269) 506-5941 for vendor spots at both the Swap Meet and August Show.