Volume 19 Issue 1
June 2016
Trekking Through Time Coming to Richer By Les Kletke
Anne Toews describes it as an event that has something for everyone with any interest in antique tractors. “It” is the Tractor Trek that is a joint venture of the Mennonite Village Museum and the Eden Foundation. This year will be the seventh event that raises money for the Eden Mental Health Centre. The past 6 events have attracted tractors from across the southeast and as far away as Saskatchewan.” “It allows the fellows to show off the tractors they have restored and get them out on the road for a drive,” said Toews who Coordinates the event on behalf of the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV). “The parade itself also allows anyone with an interest in tractors to watch these machines roll by.” The event is restricted to 50 tractors and they must be able to maintain a speed of 10 miles an hour to minimize the disturbance to normal traffic. “We have what we call the 50-50-50 rule,” said Toews. “We restrict it to 50 tractors, and they have to be 50 years old, and we want to raise 50 thousand dollars with the event.” To attain the final goal it is suggested entrants raise $1,000 each in sponsorship.
Youth Group Summer Plans Richer Fireside Youth meets on Friday June 3 and 17 at the Richer School gym from 7 – 9 pm. The Richer Fireside Youth is also gearing up to start their twice a month wiener roasts with games and life lessons from the Bible throughout the summer months. Most of these will be held at the Dawson Trail Park. All are welcome! Dates and details to follow.
Fifty tractors, at least 50 years old and raising $50,000 for a good cause is the goal of this year’s Tractor Trek that begins at the Steinbach Heritage Village Museum on June 11. It will make its lunch stop in Richer and everyone is invited to check out the tractors.
“Some raise the minimum for entry while others raise much more,” said Toews. “We had one driver who raised over $9,000 on her own, and several who raised over $3,000.” The drivers are a mix of returning and new participants. Some have been on the ride since the beginning and others take a year or two off before returning. The day is about much more than showing off their restored tractors. “We start with a breakfast and then head over to Richer for lunch,” said Toews. “We spend about an hour and half there and that gives the drivers some time to visit and some time for people to see the tractors, and to vote for the People’s Choice award.” Toews said that communities like Richer are important to make the event as popular as it has become. “The community can make it as big an event as they wish.”