The almost 400 acres of crop demonstration plots at the Half Century Of Progress show grounds are said to be in great shape, and organizers of the Rantoul show are excited about the prospects for the harvest. The big antique farm equipment show with its extensive field demonstrations is now just days away. The home for the show is the Rantoul National Aviation Center, the former Chanute Air Force Base.



Crops to be harvested at show time, weather permitting, include corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa hay. For the first time, red clover seed will be combined during the show. Cultivation demonstrations by tractors and horses will take place also, in a corn plot planted just the end of last month.



Now famous for its awe-inspiring steam-powered 60-bottom plow in 2005 and the remarkable 48-horse hitch in 2007, the 2009 Half Century Of Progress show promises more unforgettable sights. The World’s Largest Farm Tractor, Big Bud, will be on display and on the move each day of the show.



The emphasis for the Half Century Of Progress will continue to be the fieldwork performed by vintage farm equipment. “This show has become famous because it’s a magnificent nostalgia farm equipment show,” according to long-time Chicago broadcaster Max Armstrong. “People come to Rantoul and see things they haven’t seen since they were kids,” he added.



The Half Century Of Progress IV will open on Thursday, August 27 and continue through Sunday, August 30, running the entire weekend before the famous Farm Progress Show at Decatur. With the two well-publicized shows separated by just one day and located just 60 miles apart, many farmers traveled great distances to attend both events in 2005 and 2007.