Yesterday we had the chance to go to the 20th celebration of Castalia’s Tractor Days. With a town of 173 people and only 49 families – they sure can put on a fun day! Now I’m not a big fan of parades and in fact up until yesterday I didn’t really like them much at all. But I thought I was going to give it another shot and I’m sure glad that I did. The reason that we were even heading that way was because Daryl was singing in the afternoon entertainment. While we were driving through the town to get to the park where the group that he sings with was setting up, it made me a little nervous. It looked like everyone knew everyone and since this was the first time I was going to go by myself to a parade and then just ‘find a spot’, I was hoping that this whole day was even going to work out. But soon I found myself with a lawn chair in my hands and doing just that – finding a spot. What I did find out was that I think these are about the most friendliest people around. When I was walking, everyone just smiled, and it didn’t take me too long to find a good place for my chair. The weather was warm, but with a cool breeze blowing behind us, it kept everyone pretty comfortable.
Waiting for the parade to start
Now for the parade. Since there is only one street in this town and the fire station is right in the middle – it only makes sense to have this the go to spot. You could find t shirts and books, along with the only pop machine (if you didn’t bring your own refreshments for the parade). When the parade was just beginning to start, they carried the old school bell out of the fire station and then they started to ring it. They said over the speakers, “Now the parade can start”. I’m pretty sure that I was the most impressed by this yesterday. It seemed like everyone else that was there looked like they were locals, and with 20 years of having this celebration, I’m pretty sure they’ve all seen it maybe once or twice before.
The formal start to the parade
Like I said earlier, I’m not a big fan of parades but I would definitely go back to this one. It was like stepping back into time. The Knights of Columbus was walking down both sides of the streets and asking people by name if they needed a tootsie roll yet for a donation, the kids were standing just patiently for the parade to start – in the middle of the street, and it seemed that no one had anyplace to go but to sit under the trees and just visit. To be honest, they really didn’t have anyplace to go because with only 49 families in the town, they were all probably sitting in their front yard right now. Once the parade started there were more tractors that I would have ever thought there would be. I picked out the one that I liked the best, but with this a local parade- I’m sure everyone had their own favorites. But one of the best part of the parade was being close by of these two 9 year old boys. I could hear what they were saying (or yelling) and if in a couple of years if someone needed to find a tractor expert, I would be looking for these two boys. They were so excited about all the tractors, and I could overhear them yelling to each other the tractors by the brand and then they were guessing the years. Since all the tractors had a sign on them showing just that, it was easy for them to check their own information. Sometimes they got it right, and then sometimes they just couldn’t believe that they had it wrong. I think just being by these two boys was the most fun of the day! I put in a couple of pictures from the parade that I liked the best below.
Even the tractors get everyone on their feet
These two boys was one of the best parts of the parade for me
My vote for the best entry.
After the parade, down to the park we all walked to get some food that was set up in the band shell, and then to listen to music from the group Fusion. I sat for the longest time just checking everything out, and I couldn’t help but smile. People were walking around looking at each other’s tractors, having lunch, or just pushing kids on the swings. It was really windy at the park, but no one seemed to notice. I was asked a couple of times if I was from the area, and when I explained that Daryl was singing, they would nod their head and then give me a smile. I guess I must have raised some questions who I actually ‘belonged to’ while I was sitting there by myself.
The group 'Fusion' sang under the tent in the afternoon
The guys in the group having a good time
Everyone really enjoyed the singing, and after about 45 minutes it was time to have some raffle prizes. I was hoping that I would win something, but I guess not today. It was so funny because when someone would win, they would just walk over to the person and hand it to them. Now granted I’m sure that a lot of people were from this small town, but I talked to a couple of others that were from all the neighboring towns. I guess it’s true that you do have to be careful that in small communities that there is always someone that would know you. But after the raffle prizes, they started to auction off a couple of quits and then something that I’ve never seen before. They auctioned off pies. Now I don’t know if the word ‘auction’ was the correct one or not, because in some cases they would just say someone’s name and ask if they had pie for the night or if they needed to buy one. And one time after the pie was sold and they brought it back to the guy that they said who bought it, and he looked the most surprised. He was standing not too far from me and asked why they were giving him a pie and they told him that he just bought it. Everyone laughed and then was secretly hoping that this wouldn’t happen to them. Singing continued and then more raffles finished off the day. As I was walking back to the car with my lawn chair and my new Tractor t shirt in hand, I just couldn’t help to think how lucky these people are in this little town in Northeast Iowa. They probably think it’s just one more year of this celebration, but I think it’s one more year of a whole town getting together to enjoy each other’s company and slow down time, even if it was for just one day.