Annual Piedmont Antique Power Association July 4 Tractor Parade and Show

Annual Piedmont Antique Power Association July 4 Tractor Parade & Show in Mocksville, NC © Katrena

Where can you see Davie County's oldest World War II veteran, a shopping cart sporting a V-8 engine that is as high as the stop lights at the square, folks riding in the back of a manure spreader, and lots and lots of tractors? Head to downtown Mocksville in Davie County, North Carolina on a Saturday near July 4 and you might have a pretty good chance of seeing all of the above!

Parade in Mocksville, NC Around 4th of July © Katrena

I'll be honest...2012 marks a first for me. I had never been to the Tractor Parade in Mocksville. I figured we might see a couple of tractors, maybe 20 or 30 and that we'd be on our way. As my kids prepared to see the parade on Saturday, July 7 that started at 10:00 a.m., they decided to bring bags. Oh, I don't think you'll need bags...they probably don't throw out candy at a tractor parade. But my kids brought the bags just in case.

Department of Agriculture Giant Shopping Cart © Katrena

The shopping cart drew me. When I heard that the huge shopping cart from the Department of Agriculture would be in the parade, I decided this would be the year to go. I bet Jim Graham would have been proud. I could just imagine him riding on that cart waving to the crowds!

Shopping Cart with V-8 Engine © Katrena

My girls and I couldn't help but wonder how they got the giant shopping cart to Mocksville's modest streets. I bet more than one head turned to see the spectacle in the rear view mirror! The shopping cart was certainly a show starter, and I was a bit envious of that view of Mocksville from way up there. Hearing the sound of that V-8 engine put a smile on more than once onlooker! But the shopping cart was not the only great part of the parade.

Bill Angell, Davie County's Oldest Living WWII Veteran in Tractor Parade © Katrena

Davie County's oldest surviving World War II veteran sat up front as a very fitting Grand Marshall. The sign says that he is 97-years-old. And he looked like he would have felt quite comfortable driving a tractor or even a tank! The hot weather didn't dampen Bill Angell's spirits as he smiled and waved.

Patriotic Tractor Parade © Katrena

I would be willing to bet that Mr. Angell was not the only veteran in the parade. This parade called for farming hats, but many hats bearing witness to service to the country probably were hanging at home for many of these hard-working people in the Piedmont. Many tractors displayed American flags for the parade.

Small Tractors in Parade in July © Katrena

Big Tractors in Mocksville Tractor Parade © Katrena

The wide array of tractor sizes was great to see. We saw small tractors that were about the size of my riding lawn mower and also were dwarfed by huge tractors with wheels much larger than my car. And, of course, everything in between.

Older Tractors in Tractor Parade at Downtown Mocksville © Katrena

Newer Tractors in Piedmont Tractor Show © Katrena

The tractor parade also featured the new with the old. Farmers all around must have been cleaning and polishing for hours before the trip down Main Street. You would not believe the shine on so much farm equipment!

Farmer in Tractor Parade © Katrena

But this parade was not simply about the machines. The people made the parade. Farming is big industry in these parts, and those who choose to make a living from the earth often get very little credit for what they do. Summer vacations must be rare. When the temperatures reach triple digits, the fields aren't exactly air conditioned. At times, days in the field must feel as long as the school year during the last month of school. Farming is hard work, but the rewards are there too, and folks lined main street to watch, cheer, take photos, and wave.

Piedmont 4th of July Tractor Parade © Katrena

We didn't see even one beauty pageant parade wave down the center of the street....nope, this was more of a tip of the hat, point to your friend, grin at the camera kind of parade. I think it would be fine to say howdy to a few who rode by. My aunt once rode through Cleveland, NC's Christmas parade as Miss Raggedy Branch. I bet she would would have been welcomed here too!

Family-Friendly Tractor Parade in Mocksville © Katrena

4th of July Parade © Katrena

The Tractor Parade has become a family affair for many, from the tiny ones riding on play tractors to the youth who had to stand to reach the clutch as he proudly drove. From the little girl riding on her grandfather's lap to groups riding behind the tractors.

Woman Driving Tractor in Parade © Katrena

Farmer With Dog in Davie County Tractor Parade © Katrena

Women were driving some tractors too. We cheered when we saw the first lady driving in the parade! A dog was nestled proudly on one driver's lap. I couldn't help but wonder if the little furry guy rode in the fields too.

Kids and Adults Riding in Tractor Parade in North Carolina © Katrena

Air Conditioned Tractor © Katrena

I hope the farming skills will be passed down to the next generation. My grandfather was a farmer. My mom said they didn't have a tractor when she was growing up – they did it by hand. Horses helped after she was grown and gone. Tractors certainly can make life easier, but we only saw one in the parade with air conditioning!

Shiny Tractor in Piedmont Tractor Parade © Katrena

Farming is a distinct way of life. Even if a farmer doesn't have extra cash on hand, it doesn't surprise me one bit for a local farmer to haul a load of haybales to another state to help out a farmer in an area hit hard by natural disaster. They often share what they have and tend to help one another, similar to bonds developed by firefighters or soldiers in combat. Farmers know the weather can change just around the corner and the economy can be brutal.

Fun Summer Parade in North Carolina © Katrena

Just in case any of y'all are wondering about my kids' bag...yep. They do throw candy at this parade. If we had gotten much more candy, I think we might have needed that big ole' shopping cart to carry it home. We were near the end of the parade, and I think a few people must have unloaded everything they had left. Don't worry...the kids have already bagged up a bunch to share.

Farming Through the Generations © Katrena

This might be the first time I've seen Mocksville's annual tractor parade, but I bet it won't be the last. I know of a step-father who would love to see this in the future...and I know of just the family to escort him to a shaded spot at the square!

4th of July Tractor Parade and Show © Katrena

For more events offered by the Piedmont Antigue Power Association in Mocksville, visit their official web site. Find more of my articles about family-friendly activities in the state at the Travel NC With Kids site map.