The River Hills Antique Tractor Club has hit a milestone for one of its featured events.
The group will hold its 20th annual Tractor Adventure Ride this Saturday, July 30.
The journey was originally launched from Fruitland two decades ago, but alternates between Altenburg and Perryville since then. Although the anniversary edition will return to its roots.
The 35-mile ride will begin at the Fruitland Auction Barn, with the first group leaving at 8:30 a.m. The route will make a loop through Cape Girardeau County and return to Fruitland at 2:30 p.m. The journey will have a pair of rest stops, with one being at the Oak Ridge School and the last stop at the Immanuel Evangelical Church in New Wells The atmosphere can almost be described as a parade that stays mostly on county roads and away from major roads such as Highways 51 and 61.
The ride will be split into multiple groups as not to interrupt traffic as much as possible.
That part is probably necessary as event organizer Marty Conrad noted that there were 118 riders already signed up to participate. Each year, riders come from across the country from places place coming from Missouri, North Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
River Hills Antique Tractor Club is sticking to its name as the tractors must be at least 40 years old or older to participate and run at least 10 miles per hour. It has become a tradition that many generations of families can enjoy.
“A majority of the riders are 40 years or older,” Conrad said. “There will retirement aged people, but this is something that is passed down from generations, so fathers pass it to sons and so on. It’s more of a tradition.”
Route
Leaving the auction barn turn left onto Highway 61 and continue on county road 533. Turn left and continue on outer road, then turn left onto Highway FF. Turn right on Highway FF to County Road 436, turning left follow to County Road 439. Follow going to County Road 442, turn left and follow to Highway D. Turn right on Highway D to Oak Ridge, turn left on Highway E to Oak Ridge School, which is the first stop.
Leaving the school turn left onto Highway E then turn left on Highway D, continue on County Road 510, turn right on 510 to Highway 61 and follow until reaching Highway CC. Turn left on Highway CC, continue to County Road 516 turning left, then turn right onto County Road 517.
Continue to New Wells Church, which is the second stop where a lunch will be provided.
After lunch, turn right onto Highway C, left on Highway C continue through Pocahontas to Highway 61. Turn left back at barn.
