This 1956 Farmall 350 tractor was one of the tractors that the late Mark Schuler restored. Organizers of the second annual Mark Schuler Memorial Antique Tractor Show are expecting about four dozen entries this Saturday, Aug. 10, from noon to 7 p.m. (Photos from Mark Schuler Memorial Antique Tractor Show Facebook page)
By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com
MOUND CITY – One of Mark Schuler’s passions was to repair and restore old tractors. He worked tirelessly to restore the antique machines that had been passed down to him. However, as a K-State Extension agricultural agent serving Linn County for nearly two decades, his other passions became the Linn County Fair and Rodeo and working with kids in 4-H and FFA.
In the spring of 2023, Mark planned to meld all of those interests together into an antique tractor show during the fair that August. But as fate would have it, he died unexpectedly two months before the fair.
Still reeling from the raw emotions in the wake of his untimely death, his wife Karen Shuler and other members of his family swung into action to create an event that would honor Mark’s legacy and fulfill one of his final wishes. Except now it would be called the “Mark Schuler Memorial Antique Tractor Show.”
The Schuler family gathered for a photo at last year's inaugural antique tractor show.
Karen and other family members said then that they planned to make the tractor show an annual part of the Linn County Fair. This Saturday, Aug. 10, they will make good on that promise, and they are expecting to more than double the two dozen entries that were on display last year.
Check-in for the show will begin at 11 a.m. and run to noon at the lot across from the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds on Kansas Highway 7 just north of Mound City. The show will begin at noon and run until 7 p.m. when the second night of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo kicks off in the nearby arena.
There is no charge to enter a machine in the show, and Karen said that she welcomes anyone who wants to show their antique tractor.
This steam-powered tractor was on display at last year's tractor show. This year it will be in operation with a certified person at the throttle. Kansas requires that steam engines like this have certified operators to run them.
“Can be show tractor or fresh out of the field, we want them all!” proclaims a flyer advertising the event.
There will be a bucket for donations, and money collected there will be used to fund scholarships for Linn County area students.
A couple of area clubs have indicated they will attend, including the Western Missouri Tractor Association from the Adrian, Mo., area as well as an antique engine organization from the Kincaid, Kan., area.
Last year's line-up included International, Case, Allis-Chalmers, John Deere, and Massey-Ferguson tractors.
Also on hand will be the steam engine-driven tractor from the Trading Post Museum. Karen said that an operator has been certified to operate the machine, and it will not only be on display but working.
Trophies will be awarded to contestants sometime after 4 p.m., and three of those trophies will be based on votes from visitors to the show. They include trophies for show favorite, a trophy for the Schuler family’s favorite, and one for the kids favorite.
Karen said that she and family members are still learning the ropes of hosting an antique tractor show, but they have received plenty of support from people who are experienced.
Comments