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Annual ride

This year, 450 classic tractors are cruising central Iowa’s rural roadways

-Messenger photo by Kriss Nelson The 21st annual WHO Radio Tractor Ride began Monday with a tour from Jefferson with an early stop in Farnhamville and lunch in Dayton. This year, 450 registered tractors are participating in the three-day event.

FARNHAMVILLE — When 450 classic tractors took to central Iowa’s roads Monday, it was more than the 21st year of an annual state event. It was an annual gathering of Croonquist cousins.

Mark Croonquist, of Moorland, has participated in the WHO Radio Tractor Ride for 16 of the 21 years the event has been held. It’s an opportunity to gather with about 10 of his cousins each year, he said.

“It’s fun, especially with all of the cousins getting together,” Croonquist said. “It’s a cousin reunion for us.”

Croonquist planned to drive his 1953 WD45 Allis Chalmers all three days with the help of his son, Nick Croonquist.

“I drive in the morning, then my son takes over,” he said. “We both enjoy it.”

-Messenger photo by Kriss Nelson Some of the ride’s 450 tractors parked Monday morning at Landus Cooperative’s Farnhamville site.

The tractor ride kicked off on Monday for the first of a three-day tour.

This year’s ride was based out of the Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson, with routes taking tractors north, south and east of Jefferson.

Monday’s route was the longest — 95 miles from Jefferson to Farnhamville and then on to Dayton for lunch before eventually returning to Jefferson.

Landus Cooperative’s Farnhamville site rolled out the welcome mat.

“I think it’s great fun to see all of these tractors,” Matt Thompson, Landus Cooperative’s Farnhamville manager said. “We are glad we have the space and glad we could host them. It’s fun.”

The stop in Farnhamville gave riders and drivers the chance to grab water, cookies and apples before climbing back on for the ride to Hidden Acres Christian Center near Dayton and lunch.

For Dennis Smalley, of Jefferson, this ride was a first.

“It was close by this year, so that is the main reason I did it,” he said. “I thought about it for years, just haven’t done it.”

He is already considering taking part in the ride for next year.

Smalley was driving his 1963 Farmall 560 tractor that he and his grandson, Landon Pontius, restored together as a 4-H project.

Croonquist’s tractor is one that has been a part of his family for years.

“It was my uncle Bernard Croonquist’s and I bought it from his estate,” he said. “I bought it because it was his. I have memories of this tractor growing up and I did a little bit of everything with it.”

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