NORTHFIELD — Saturday was a beautiful day for agriculture enthusiasts to get together to talk about smalltown life and watch dozens of people from all over New England plow fields that aren’t theirs.
It was all part of the annual Northfield Plow Day, featuring more than 50 antique tractors and at least 10 horse teams. Five Point Farm, run by the Llewelyn family, hosted the event for the fourth consecutive year as a form of farm community relations. The event was put on by International Harvester Collectors Club, New England Chapter 18.
“It’s a good time for everybody,” said Bill Llewelyn. “It’s perfect weather.”
Dozens of people convened on the 110-acre farm and many walked around with their families or chatted with friends over the non-stop hum of tractor engines. More than 50 tractors — ranging from 1930s- to 1970s-era — and the horse teams were used to plow cornfields, while doubling as free entertainment to anyone who stopped by the farm’s cozy position tucked away at 76 Upper Farms Road. The air was clean and crisp and the blue sky, sunshine and International Harvester red seemed to put everyone in a good mood.
Tony Amato Sr., a club member and organizer, said Plow Day is a free event aimed at helping people learn about farm life.
“We’re just having some fun,” he said, adding that there were some tractors present that were not International Harvester. Several John Deere tractors in the field could be seen.
Amato said there is a Plow Day slated for Hunt Farm in Orange on May 7 and one scheduled for Litchfield, N.H., on May 21.
The Franklin County 4-H Club sold refreshments, and the tractor club had a merchandise stand where people could buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a McCormick Farmall Cub tractor, one of IH’s classic models. Chapter Treasurer Donna Callahan said the winner will be drawn on Oct. 23.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 257. On Twitter, follow @DomenicPoli