Over 30 vintage tractors and combines from the 1940s are to take part in the annual Harvest Extravaganza at The Farm, Grenagh, Co. Cork on September 6.
At last year’s event almost 1,000 visitors witnessed 15 combines working side-by-side in the same field and there is a large crowd expected again this year along with more machinery.
Organisers say that the 40ac site will see barley, oats, potatoes and silage harvested on the day with some 10ac of barley, 10ac of silage and three acres of ploughing and tilling using both vintage and modern machinery.
The day-long event will also feature baling and bale handling demonstrations, old style silage making and reaping and binding and a work horse display.
Mick Forde, owner of The Farm, said that the difference is that ‘The Farm’ is a working operation, seven days a week, 364 days of the year.
“We were overwhelmed by the response and support for last year’s event with visitors of all ages and from all walks of life amazed by the size and scale of the machinery in action.
“Harvest is one of the most important times on a traditional Irish farm. People rarely get a chance to see machinery from the 1940s in operation and hundreds of people travel for miles, just like in the olden days, not just to spectate, but to get stuck in themselves.
There’s huge support for the event from local vintage clubs and enthusiasts, who bring along their machines and tractors to demonstrate on our working plots.
As well as the special harvest event, visitors can also take a trip back in time at The Folk Village where The Farm has an impressive collection of Ferguson, Massey Harris and Massey Ferguson tractors, equipment and machinery from the 1930’s to 1970’s, organisers say.
The Village also features a farmhouse pre and post electrification, a forge, garage, hardware shop, communications display and school classroom.
Petting and feeding the animals, barrel train rides, zip wires, functioning milking parlour and many more activities will be happening throughout the day as usual.
Weather permitting, it’s sure to be an action packed day at The Farm, so visitors are asked to come early.
The Farm has full disabled access and entry is at the usual price of €8 with family rates available.