Tractor parade: Ag expo tradition

The antique tractor parade at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds has become a tradition for the annual New Mexico Ag Expo.

The parade has been part of the expo for 17 years, according to Tom Davis of Portales who had two tractors in the parade.

Herb Newberry, a retired farmer from Portales, said his father used to own the 1948 John Deere tractor he drove in Tuesday’s parade at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds.

“I know he didn’t get it new,” Newberry said. “So, he probably got it around 1950 or 1951. I still have my old tractors that I’ve farmed with ... this was his and I’ve got two more of his that I need to work on.”

Newberry said it’s fun taking a tractor that looks like a mess and making it look new again.

Newberry said he usually rides his dad’s tractor up and down the road where he lives.

Davis’ two tractors in the parade were a 1947 Case and a 1941 Oliver.

“When I was a kid my dad had a Case tractor just like mine,” said Davis.

Davis said it is a lot of fun to fix them up and not as hard to work on as a car.

“I tried to restore it, but it was just too far gone, so I bought another one and used all the parts that were on my dad’s tractor to fix it.”

The parade featured six antique tractors and two longhorn steers. Davis said the poor weather might have been the reason there were only a few tractors in the parade.

“I like all old things, not just tractors,” Davis said. “I’ve got lots of old cars and old pedal tractors. I like old gas pumps and signs. I just like old stuff for some reason.”