Tractors run across southeastern Manitoba

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This article was published 17/06/2024 (382 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Over 50 people came out to support tractor drivers and the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV).

The 15th year of the Tractor Drive (formerly the Tractor Trek) was supported by dozens of tractor drivers, steering across Steinbach, Ste Anne and Blumenort.

Nathan Dyck, development coordinator for the MHV was one of the organizers of the drive. He said the drive almost didn’t happen after the Eden Foundation stopped sponsoring the event.

After speaking with the drivers, there was an overwhelming majority of people who wanted to keep it going. He said that it’s great to see the drivers want to continue helping out an event that intertwines so much with MHV’s purpose.

“Agriculture was an incredibly important aspect of life for almost all of our Mennonite ancestors who settled here in Manitoba,” said Dyck. “We’re bringing historic tractors out, it feels like a continuation of telling stories about our past.”

This year, the route changed again, but not as much as it normally does. They drove the loop counterclockwise, opposite of last year, along with small changes to what roads they use.

“Our route changes slightly every year, we often try to connect with different communities, a lot of people come out for lunch and have a lot of interest in the tractors.”

Dyck said the partnership with Eden Foundation ended because it was getting difficult to work together on a big project like this one. He said they are happy with the support they’ve had for each other for the past 14 years.

Eden Foundation is continuing to partner with a similar drive in Winkler.