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Today on Agricultural Spotlight, we look back at the 52nd Annual Tioga County Early Days.

Collectors, renovators, & history enthusiasts were at the Tioga County Fairgrounds for three days this week. This year’s feature tractor is the Case model in honor of Frank Johnson. Frank passed away in 2015 and his tractor seen here, a 1929 Case ‘C’ was on display in memory of his years of service and dedication to preserving our counties rich agriculture past.

The Friday festivities started out with cannon fire. The Wellsboro Boys Scouts, VFW honor Guard, 7th NY & 4th US Light Artillery gave tribute to veterans far and wide.

With nearly twice as many exhibits as last year, President Gary Comfort was extremely pleased with the turn out. Visitors had the opportunity to see working gas tractors, steam engines, oil pulls, a shingle mill, antique toys, tractor parade, kiddie pull, working cider press, and an 1889 working saw mill run by an 1890’s brick steam engine.

It was a great day to be out and about at the 52nd Early Days. A huge attraction as always was the tractor pull going on in the horse arena. A 1947 New Holland Left Handed Straw Baler was a site to behold as volunteers fed loose hay into the restored seventy year old baler with ease. This baler was beautifully renovated by Donna and Bob Wagner.

A group of volunteers were busy using the 1889 saw mill and a machine that made shingles as you watched. The saw mill is one of the oldest running saw mills in the United States.

What gathered an even bigger crowd though was the pedal tractor pull. Dozens of future collectors gave their all in an attempt to cross the finish line!

It’s hard to believe that many of the tractors on display were considered ‘new back in 1965 when the Early Days held their first event at Ross Pino’s farm in Covington, PA. His descendants; Jack, Johnny, Dick and many other Pino relatives have been an integral part of the festival ever since.

Dale Palmer, “The Hammer Man” and Darryl Cotz, a local Blacksmith shared their respective collections of hammers.

We hope you enjoyed this year’s event as much as we did. Next year, the Early Day’s organization hopes to see you all in October 2018. To exhibit your treasures please contact the Early Days coordinators at the numbers below to Keep the Past Alive.

President – Gary Comfort: (607) 259-6234
Flea Market – Elizabeth Fletcher: (570) 596-2676
Garden Tractor Pulls – Jay Morse: (570) 418-2204
Tractor Pulls – Jay Shabloski: (570) 439-2555