YOU DID IT!
Update: 10/21/08
 Congratulations to everyone.

 This one is in the books forever.

I can’t thank everyone enough for their support and co-operation to make this event possible.

Visit www.bobstractorpartscorner.com for more information on the event

Antique Tractor Mackinac Bridge Crossing

Fun Facts about the event.

 

1.     It’s the First Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing ever and it’s in the books and YOU were part of it.

2.      There were just under 600 tractors unloaded of trailers/trucks at the pit in just one day in the same field.

         The rest unloaded on into the night Thursday and early Friday Morning. 

3.     RFD-TV “This Week in AgriBusiness” was there to film the entire event.                           

         Max Armstrong could not attend due to personal reasons.

    4. You are going to love their video. (more information to come)

    5. The tractors stretched from about ½ mile after the pit, through Mackinaw City and were completely over the bridge, entering St. Ignace at the same time.

    6. Being the last person in the parade also allowed me to be in the center of the Mackinac Bridge and yet the tractors were already being parked at the            Kewadin Shores Casino parking lot. My hat’s off to those who parked everyone at the casino.

    7. People watching the parade had a fantastic time and were cheering the tractor drivers in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  Never have I seen so many   people in town and at the Mackinac Bridge on and off areas at one time. Thousands came to watch friends and relatives cross the Mighty Mac on their antique tractor.
    8. Total parade time for this entire event of approximately 20 miles to the end was approximately 4-1/2 hours. This includes the delay time of a wrecker to remove a stalled RV on the bridge. Oh, by the way, I was told it was a tractor driver’s chain that hauled him off the bridge. What a GREAT bunch of people you tractor enthusiasts are.

    9.  There were 31 women driving tractors in the parade

  10. It was an absolute pleasure for me to do this event for you and I hope you had a memorable time.

  11. As for doing it again next year, we need the dust to settle on this one and see.

 

E-mail from,
 Mackinac County Sheriff Scott A. Strait

 

Bob,

 I would like to thank you and all of the other volunteers for their efforts in making this parade across the Mighty Mac a historical event. 

 As a participant I was thrilled to take part of this event with both my father and father-in-law we all had a great time.

 As Sheriff of Mackinac County, I wanted to acknowledge the tractor enthusiasts and their families who participated.  Their conduct and courtesy made this a wonderful experience.  The participating police, fire and ems organizations were fantastic.  Special thanks to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, Mackinaw City Police Department, St. Ignace Police Department, the Michigan State Police, Sault Tribe Police Department and of course the Mackinac County Sheriff's Office deputies.  These law enforcement professionals handled the traffic without difficulty.  I have contacted a few of these organizations and found that with very few and minor exceptions they had no problems or complaints at all.

Again, Thank you so much for taking the time to organize this event and know that all of us who got to participate appreciate your efforts and we realize that this was no small task. 

If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to call.

Scott A. Strait, Sheriff
Mackinac County
100 S. Marley Street
St. Ignace, Michigan 49781
(906) 643-1911
(906) 643-9842 Fax
Sheriff49@mackinaccounty.net
http://www.mackinaccounty.net/content/view/21/44/

I could not have said it better Sheriff

 

 I thank all of you for the hard work and preparation it took you to make this historic event. Congratulations!

Sincerely,

Bob Baumgras

Pres: Owosso Tractor Parts

www.owossotractorparts.com

bobscorner@owossotractorparts.com