Tractors galore on show at Langar this weekend as company invites public to attend 50th anniversary event

The John Deere 50 Celebration and Heritage Event is running from 10am to 5pm tomorrow (Saturday) and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Entry to the event and car parking are free.

Voluntary donations received in lieu of car park charges will be distributed equally between the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and the Nottingham Hospitals Charity. In addition, profits from the sale of ice creams will be shared equally between Harby, Langar and Cropwell Bishop Primary Schools.

As well as trade stands, static machinery exhibits and working demonstrations of almost 200 vintage, classic and modern tractors and implements, the celebratory event will feature activities and entertainment for all the family including a fun fair, big top and grand ring entertainment, tractor bus rides, archery, laser clay shooting, falconry, skydiving displays, synchronised kite flying and live music. There will also be a range of local food and produce as well as a licensed bar.

A parade of 50 vintage, classic and modern John Deere tractors and machinery will start with a 1916 Overtime Model R tractor, belonging to Lincolnshire farm manager Malcolm Robinson. The Overtime tractor was given credit for helping the First World War effort by putting in many hours of overtime producing food for the war zone and the home front.

The parade will also include the iconic 4020 tractor, marking the beginnings of John Deere Limited at Langar in 1966, and represent every decade up to the present day finishing with John Deere’s new flagship 620hp four-track 9620RX.

Several of the machines that represented the John Deere Limited product line in 1966 will also be at the event, including the first 5010 and 5020 tractors sold in the UK, ploughs, the C10 cultivator and the 530 and 630 combine harvesters.

John Deere’s first step into tractor production worldwide came in 1918 when the US company bought the Overtime’s manufacturer, the Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company in Iowa, who also made the Waterloo Boy. This machine’s simple two-cylinder design became a feature of John Deere tractors for another four decades.

John Deere Limited started trading from Langar in January 1966, and the original premises are still in use today as the company’s visitor centre and national parts distribution centre.

For more details about the John Deere 50 Celebration and Heritage Event visit www.JohnDeere.co.uk/50years

John Deere customers, fans and families are invited to join this weekend’s celebrations by registering their attendance on the John Deere website. By doing so in advance, visitors will be in with a chance of winning special 50th anniversary merchandise in a lucky ticket prize draw to be held at the end of each day.