Gillmore shares memories of tractor display

     Keith Gillmore of Monticello is no stranger to antique tractors and farm machinery.

   Since the late 1980s, Gillmore has been volunteering his time to lead the group of guys responsible for securing classic pieces of agricultural equipment for display at the Great Jones County Fair.

   Iowa Code Chapter 174.1 defines a “fair event” as “an annual gathering of the public on fairgrounds that incorporates agricultural exhibits…”

   GJCF Manager Lucas Gobeli explained that the definition could be interpreted to include the GJCF’s “Antique Tractor Display.”

   For his dedicated role in this display, Gillmore was named the 2022 Friend of the Fair.

   “Carol knew in advance,” he said of his wife keeping the secret from him.

   The couple attends the fair kickoff event every year, and the FOF award was a complete surprise to Gillmore.

   “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I was caught completely off guard. I was speechless, which is not one of my traits.”

   After over 30 years, Gillmore is stepping down, allowing Paul Siebels to take things over.

   “Paul and the other guys know more people and have the time,” he said the antique display. “It’s time for me to follow versus lead.”

   Gillmore got started with the fair display when LJ Takes contacted him one year to see if he had any antique tractors he’d be willing to bring to the fair.

   “I had a lot of tractors,” recalled Gillmore. “I restored a few.”

   He’s especially fond of 1937 tractors, the year he was born.

   “Dad was never colorblind,” joked Gillmore of his father who collected any make or model tractor.

   Gillmore is also proud of his two 1930s threshing machines.

   “They still ran,” he said of when he bought them.

   He also had a 1930s grain binder.

   “We never had one of those on the farm,” recalled Gillmore of his younger years.

   There is a lot of pre-planning that goes into securing equipment for the fair display, as well as setting things up before opening day of the fair.

   Gillmore and those involved in the display arrive on Sunday morning to map out the dimensions for the space needed. For years, Gillmore said Gary Nagel helped set up cattle gates around the machinery. Now, they used bicycle racks.

   The cost to reserve the space on the fairgrounds is $800. All those involved in the display kick in $100 each.

   When it comes to securing tractors and ag equipment for the display, it certainly is all about who you know.

   “Our group knows what people have,” said Gillmore of what people collect. “We ask them to bring their items in and keep track of it all.”

   Rule of thumb: They never repeat the same tractor year to year.

   “We always fill the lot,” said Gillmore. “We had to turn down equipment a few times.”

   Recalling some of the unique pieces that have come in, Gillmore said one of the most beautiful was an Oliver Tractor with a mounted corn picker.

   “It was all re-plated and looked brand-spanking new,” he marveled.

   There was also a 1960s or ‘70s Waterloo Boy that was owned by a Darold Sindt from Keystone, Iowa.

   “We received special instructions about how to handle it,” said Gillmore of its care while at the fair.

   As to why the tractor display is important to offer fairgoers, Gillmore said so many younger people don’t know about antique farm machinery.

   “The old farmers and city people like to look at it all.”

   Gillmore stipulated that whatever comes in doesn’t have to necessarily have to be classified as “antique” or restored.

   “It’s nice to get different tractors in; they don’t necessarily have to be from Jones County.”

   The 20221 GJCF was the first time in over 7 years that Gillmore did not attend the fair due to the ongoing pandemic. He is looking forward to returning this year.

   “I’ll still help stake out the display on Sunday morning, something I’ve always done,” he said. “I’m the grunt guy.”

   Gillmore said the group of guys he’s worked with all these years have been great.

   “It’s been really rewarding to see what people come up with.”

   Aside from the tractor display, Gill ore has also been a part of the WMT Tractorcade for 23 years. Up until a few years ago, he was still taking part in plowing competitions across Iowa and the country.