17th Annual Old Roxbury Days

By Staff
1 / 2
Alden Hurlbut of Roxbury, Connecticut sets up his steam powered buhr mill early Saturday morning.
Alden Hurlbut of Roxbury, Connecticut sets up his steam powered buhr mill early Saturday morning.
2 / 2
A 1933 John Deere GPO owned and driven by Jim Rusconi of Guilford, Connecticut.
A 1933 John Deere GPO owned and driven by Jim Rusconi of Guilford, Connecticut.

52A S. Main Street New Milford, Connecticut 06776

The week leading up to the 17th annual Old Roxbury Days in
Roxbury, Connecticut was a trying time for the Roxbury Historical
Society and the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department. Everyone either
worked in the hot summer heat or in the pouring rain.

When the weekend came it was still hot, but the sun was shining
and over 5,000 spectators attended the show, which has come to be
known as the largest antique tractor show in Connecticut.

A total of 59 tractors were on display this year. Seventeen
different makes of tractors were represented. This list included:
Allis-Chalmers, Case, Caterpillar, Economy, Farmall, Ford, Fordson,
Garden Master, Hebard, Huber, John Deere, Massey-Ferguson,
Massey-Harris, McCormick-Deering, Oliver, Silver King, and Twin
City. Of the 17 different makes represented, the John Deeres were
the most popular, as 22 of the two cylinder models were on display.
The oldest tractor in attendance was a 1919 12-20 Twin City owned
by the Current family of Watertown, Connecticut.

The tractors provided power for the shingle mill, wood planer,
cord-wood saw, ensilage cutter, and hay press. The drivers of the
tractors also tried their skills in the slow races, no-can-see
course, and egg cracking contest.

All the smooth steel wheel, hard rubber, and pneumatic tire
equipped tractors participated in the Sunday afternoon tractor
parade to the center of town. Forty-five tractors participated in
the parade, led by Roger Nelson of Roxbury on his 1925 15-30
McCormick-Deering.

Several gas engines performed for the crowd of interested
spectators, each one making its own special sound as they pumped
water, cut and split wood, shelled and ground corn, and threshed
bundles of rye.

Several teams of draft horses pulled wagons that carried
visitors up and down South Street to other activities at Old
Roxbury Days. These activities included the flea market, antique
car and truck show, a country store, arts and crafts displays, and
a petting zoo with farm animals.

Over 800 people enjoyed the chicken barbeque dinner Saturday
evening. This dinner is prepared by the Roxbury Volunteer firemen
and their wives, and is a huge success each year.

A special thanks to all the exhibitors and volunteers who helped
make our show a success. Our show dates for 1989 are July 22-23. We
hope to see you all again, and bring a friend. We will do our best
to make them feel at home and enjoy themselves.

  • Published on May 1, 1989
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388