(Press release)

The 37thth Annual Texas Early Day Tractor and Engine Association’s Fall show is just around the corner, October 3-5, 2008. For those who have never thought old tractors and rare engines are too interesting, think again! You’ll enjoy a sea of colors; a fascinating journey into our forefather’s time where everyone pitched in on the family farm with hard work, mouthwatering food, and home spun charm. The 48-acre show grounds are packed with equipment representing the mid 19th to the mid 20th centuries. You’ll be awed by the intricacies of our forefathers’ inventions, with each new year’s model being modified over and over until the latest barely resembles it’s early parent.

At first glance you may think something is brand new, but sit a while and visit with the owner. Each piece has a story. One of coincidence or more often, one of intensive search spanning decades and continents! Stories abound of last minute salvage from the scrap mill. You’ll see tractors dug from rivers, engines that powered cities, and proud owners who kept their father’s very first model. There are dedicated collectors who will drive a thousand miles for a steering wheel just to keep it authentic. Many of the displays are one of a kind, the last known in existence! This year’s featured tractor is the Avery, with and Waterloo Boy engine, with T-shirts available at the Ice Cream House.

Exhibitors come from all over Texas and beyond. If you’re bit by the collector bug, Temple is the place to find your treasure. A Flea market and crafts area will have just the item you need. Collectors are often traders and/or buyers. Bring something and leave with something else. Find a missing part, missing manual, or that piece of the puzzle that only someone who has seen a thousand would remember. Talk to someone and you’ll be amazed at how much they want to share their expertise. And if one person can’t tell you, they’ll know someone who will.

Don’t think for a minute that the parade and tractor pulls are all there is. A whole village is growing on Eberhardt road! Several farmhouses, including a General Store a Cotton Gin, a Dentist Office, and soon to be, working Blacksmith Shop, all ready for company. The club is a 501©3 non-profit corporation, dedicated to the preservation of farming equipment and to the education of our members and the public. Donations are tax deductible and all proceeds go back directly into the maintenance and development of the show grounds. Take the time to thank a member for saving these pieces of our history. Take the initiative to save something yourself and consider a donation to the club. In addition, most importantly, bring a child and a friend! Teach them about their heritage, tell them how hard our forefathers worked so that we could enjoy what we have today. Moreover, show them, love and pride in taking responsibility.

Two additional events will take place this year during the festival. You’ll be amazed at the brilliant working sheepdog trials on Saturday & Sunday. Saturday at noon, nearly 100 beautiful Model T automobiles will arrive, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Model T Ford!

Come early, ask questions, and stay until you’ve quenched your hunger with homemade ice cream and Bar-B-Que, and for knowledge of a simpler time. Exhibitors may move in early this week, with Friday open free for demonstrations for area schools. Friday, membership meeting at 7:00 PM, new members welcome for $20/ single or $30/ family. Open Friday & Saturday – 9:00 am – dusk, Sunday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission $5, children under 12 free. For more information, call 254-230-9188254-231-0161. Check us out on the web at www.tedtea.org