Kids pedal pint-sized tractors at farm show
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Farm show attendees were met a blue sky that later turned gray, a sweltering August heat, the aroma of fried food, and the sound of a booming voice rising above all the events Tuesday afternoon for the second day of the Butler Farm Show.
At the arena, Terry Cranmer used the loudspeaker with vigor as he rooted for the contestants and announced results from the pedal tractor pull for children.
“Keep pedaling! Keep pedaling!” cheered Cranmer, who is on the farm show board of directors.
He said he has served on the board for 38 years, but started announcing the pedal tractor pull around eight years ago.
“I just like to get the kids involved,” he said.
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The first group to compete was children ages 3 and younger.
Lexi Nimmo, 2, wore a pastel-colored plaid dress and pedaled the tractor exactly 23 feet and into her father's arms. “Next year, you'll do great in this class, huh?” Lance Nimmo, Lexi's father, said to her after the competition.
Nimmo said he enjoys going to the farm show each year for the agricultural aspect.
In the 4-year-old age group, Caden Shuler, last year's reigning champ in the 3-and-under category, took the gold again.
“He won last year too,” said Jessica Shuler, Caden's mom, as he accepted his first place medal and prize — a toy truck.
While serving as the event's master of ceremonies, Cranmer had the help of some of his family members, including Camdyn, his 13-year-old granddaughter, who used to compete in the pedal tractor pull herself.
Camdyn said she started coming to the farm show when she was little because of her grandfather.“I like it because I see people have fun and enjoy the pedal pull and all of the other events,” she said.This year, Cranmer said the pedal tractor event “pulled” in a substantial crowd, which gleefully cheered with each child's attempt to peddle forward with a weight attached to the tractor. “This is the biggest crowd we've had,” he said.Across the way, a smaller, quieter crowd sat in the bleachers and watched the children's horse showmanship contest at the Elmer's Corral, although Cranmer's voice still reverberated across the farm show grounds.Braydan Geagan, 12, won first place in his group with his horse, Bello. He's been showing horses for six years.“He's confident with his horse,” said Christine Geagan, Braydan's mom. “He enjoys it, and they are good together.”She said Braydan also plans to show sheep and pigs later this week.As the afternoon wore on, the skies became cloudy and later opened up with a brief, heavy rain, but the spirit of fun and family remained.The farm show continues through Saturday.
