Tractors needed to help set world record

Tanya Berkebile | Cadillac News From left, Howard McCrimmon, George Johnson and Jim Ryan are shown near tractors at McCrimmonÕs Farm & Feed in Marion. The two tractors will be driven in the Marion Old Fashioned Days parade in an attempt to set a world record for the number of tractors driven in a parade.

MARION — Marion residents are looking to establish a world record — and they need your help.

During the Old Fashioned Days parade Aug. 4, an attempt will be made to establish a Guinness World Record for total number of tractors in a parade.

“It was one of those ideas that came up while we were having a cup of coffee,” said George Johnson, Marion Old Fashioned Days coordinator. “We wondered what type of parade records there were so we looked online with Guinness Book of World Records. They had some for motorcycles, carriages and other modes of transportation but none for tractors. I couldn’t believe it.”

After a long process — including making a formal request through an eight-page document and airmailing it to England — Johnson said he is now just waiting for the formal reply.

“We have the guidelines and have official authenticators, so now all we need to do is get the word out that we need tractors,” he said.

So far, Johnson has received responses from Grand Haven, Holland, Vassar, Hersey, Lake City, McBain, Falmouth, Buckley, Tustin, Cadillac and Marion. One person from Grand Haven plans to bring 12 tractors to the parade on two semitrailers.

Jim Ryan of Marion plans to enter 11 tractors in the parade. His dilemma, which many others face, is who will drive the remainder of the tractors.

“I have drivers for two tractors, but I need to find nine more,” he said.

Any type of tractor is welcome to be in the parade, whether it is a farm tractor or lawn tractor — it just has to be able to drive in the parade. Lawn tractors can be pulling wagons and larger ones can pull a trailer of kids.”

“This record is for the most tractors in a parade, (the tractor) doesn’t have to be cleaned up,” Johnson said.

“For those ‘working farm tractors’ in constant barn or field use, come as you are. We don’t care and don’t be embarrassed — this is just for fun.”

For those tractors that have yard waste on them, there will be volunteers to clean up anything left on the road.

Lineup and registration will begin at 11 a.m. Aug. 4 for the tractor parade. Lineup for the regular parade begins at 2 p.m. Tractors are asked to line up on 20th Avenue near the high school.

To register for the parade or for further details, people can call Johnson at (231) 743-2129, Howard McCrimmon at (231) 743-2975, Jim Ryan at (231) 743-6363 or Frank Flemming at (231) 743-2461.

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Tractor parade

The Marion Chamber of Commerce is extending an invitation to all mid-Michigan area tractor owners to participate in the grand parade Aug. 4 during Marion Old Fashioned Days. The group is hoping to set a world record for number of tractors in a parade.

Anyone can participate — as long as they have a tractor. It can be any size tractor, even a lawn tractor.

So far, there are entries from as far away as Grand Haven, Vassar and Holland.

To register for the parade or for further details, people can call George Johnson at (231) 743-2129, Howard McCrimmon at (231) 743-2975, Jim Ryan at (231) 743-6363 or Frank Flemming at (231) 743-2461.

How to set a record