Live coverage throughout the event this weekend.
The following updates will be in reverse chronological order (newest on top).
June 16, 2008 - Conclusion
Yesterday's activities concluded around 7:30 PM with the final pulls by the garden tractors. By this time most vendors had already exited the park. Event staff were busy tieing up loose ends for the night until they could return on Monday to being the clean up. A few people chose to spend one last night in the park instead of beginning their track home.
We would like to extend our compliments to everyone that worked so hard to make this event possible. You did an excellent job and I am sure everyone is looking forward to this same time next year. If you did not get a chance to come out to the recreation park to see this event, then mark your calendars now for Father's Day weekend next year. This event continues to draw larger crowds each year and has become the largest annual event held in Franklin County. So, in conclusion, I lift a toast to five successful years and many more to come.
June 15, 2008 - Day 3
Update 7:50 AM
Where did the late day updates from yesterday go? Good question. After last year's big storm and subsequent internal flood at the Franklin County Fun Magazine tent, we were not taking any chances this year. When the storms began to brew yesterday, we immediately began shutting down all no essential operations, including our computer and Internet. It must have worked because after we were ready for the worst, and according to the weather radar the worst was coming right at us, the storm broke up as it approached the Sontag community. We did get a little rain, but nothing torrential as last year.
The event had an excellent turnout yesterday and all visitors that we spoke to were glad they had came. Some said they were reluctant to come to the event because they did not think there would be anything to interest them but they admitted that they were pleasantly surprised and glad they did come.
Today's main event will feature the garden tractor pull which will start at 1:00 PM. We spoke to Buck Mitchell over breakfast this morning in the pavilion and he said that there may be as many as 80 standard and modified lawn tractors at today's pull. Lawn tractors from several states will surely be a crowd pleaser. Buck said, "People are really amazed at the lawn tractors pulling 8,000 to 9,000 pounds". Staff were working late into the night last night to make sure everything would be ready for today's pull. Track conditions are expected to be excellent due to the limited amount of rain that fell late yesterday.
There will be various demonstrations today and many activities for all ages. The little kids seem to really enjoy the barrel rides and petting zoo. The adults will surely enjoy the shopping and lawn tractor pulls. So come on out today and see this event as festivities conclude today at the Franklin County Recreation Park in Sontag.
June 14, 2008 - Day 2
Update 8:30 AM
Morning came early for the Franklin County Fun Magazine team here at the Franklin County Recreation Park in Sontag. After a late night last night, the extra sleep would have been nice, but that was not the case. We were up and about at 5:00 AM this morning to get ready for today. Redwood United Methodist Church was busy preparing breakfast and we paid a visit to them at 7:00 AM. Gravy biscuits, eggs and sausage were an excellent start to the day. It is now 8:30 AM and we are in full swing.
Additional exibitors and vendors began rolling into the park at 6:30 AM. There is plenty to see and do here at the park today. The 4-H group has games and activities for all ages. Many demonstrations of the old ways of working will be presented throughout the day. Be sure to bring your appetite with you and visit one of the many fine food vendors here at the park; the prices are reasonable and the food is EXCELLENT.
The Southwest Virginia Antique & Power Festival have done an excellent job making this an awesome event. If you have never been to one in the previous four years then you must come out and see this event this year. People will surely be talking about it in the work place on Monday so do not be left out of that conversation. You can get more information about Southwest Virginia Antique & Power Festival, Inc. by visiting this link svapf.org.
June 13, 2008 - Day 1
Update 10:30 PM
Well, as fate would have it, we did not get to post a 6:00 PM update due to the large turnout for the modified tractor pull event. The evening's activities were to get underway at 7:00 PM but were delayed for nearly one hour while the track was dried. Too much water had been deposited onto the track earlier in the day while it was being prepared for this evening's pull. The recreation park was held open long after dark this evening and attendees seemed to really enjoy this year's new Friday schedule. At approximately 8:00 PM the thunderous roar of the modified tractors filled the air. The crowd was kept a safe distance away from the track just in case something unexpected happened. Children near the front of the crowd held their ears to muffle the roar. Up at the top of the hill near the Franklin County Fun Magazine tent, I heard one young boy talking with someone else over a two-way radio. He told the person on the other end of the radio that he would come down near the track for just a minute because it was too loud for him.
Fortunately, the thunder storms did not materialize due to the evening temperatures dropping quickly back to comfortable levels. The heavy breezes we had earlier in the day calmed as dark approached. This made for an excellent evening to be in the park.
If you did not get a chance to come out to the park today, be sure to include a visit on your schedule tomorrow. There is plenty to see for all ages, and includes shopping, demonstrations, food and petting zoo. There are many antiques and a few vendors selling modern items. While at the park, you can see demonstrations of thrashing, rock crushing and a working saw mill, just to name a few. BBQ, ribs, nuts and pies will surely fill your appetite. Late today, a kettle corn vendor came in and filled the air with the sweet scent of perfectly popped kettle corn. And the Franklin County Fun Magazine tent is located near it all. I can already feel the pounds being added onto my waist line. Good night...I have to go find a snack.
Update 2:00 PM
A pleasant breeze is blowing here in the park. The smell of various fried and BBQ meats fills the air. There is plenty of food to be had so bring the family out to the park and enjoy a late lunch. You can also come out to the park this evening to enjoy the food, watch demonstrations and enjoy modified tractor pulling action. An additional rock crushing demonstration has just been announced for 4:00 PM today. The little ones in your group can go on a tractor pulled barrel ride. Yes, it really is exactly like the name says. Various types of barrels have been modified with a seat to allow small passengers to ride inside the barrel. These barrels are chained together and hitched to a genuine antique tractor to provide a ride around the park. And remember, keep your arms and legs inside of the barrel at all times and remain seated.
Update 10:45 AM
The 5th Annual Antique Farm Days has gotten underway at the Franklin County Recreation Park on Route 619 in Sontag. Partially overcast day but dry. This is much better than this time last year when we had a cold steady mist of rain falling for most of the day. Vendors and exibitors are busy doing their final setups in preparation for the large turnout that is expected this year. Franklin County Fun Magazine has FREE magazines on hand ready to give to everyone that comes by our tent located between the pavilion and the pull track. Later this evening, the modified tractors will be showing off power and speed as they compete for awards. We look forward to seeing you at this year's event so come on by, see the exibits, watch the pulls, pick up a FREE magazine and say, "Hi".
The Photo Gallery for this event is ready! A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a look at everything we have to say about this wonderful event: Set 1 - Set 2 - Set 3 - Set 4 - Set 5 - Set 6 - Set 7 - Set 8 - Set 9 - Set 10 - Set 11 - Set 12 - Set 13 - Set 14 - Set 15 - Set 16 - Set 17 - Set 18 - Set 19 - Set 20 - Set 21 - Set 22 - Set 23 - Set 24 - Set 25 - Set 26 - Set 27 - Set 28 - Set 29 - Set 30 - Set 31 - Set 32 - Set 33 - Set 34 - Set 35
