Thanks for supporting tractor ride

To the editor:

The 2018 Jay County Tractor Ride is now in the books. 

Around 100 participants and well over 20 antique and modern farm tractors took part in this year’s edition of the annual Tractor Ride sponsored by POET, Dannon Yogurt, Richards Restaurants and Hull Brothers. Despite bouts of rain, participants had a wonderful time traveling a scenic route that spanned the countryside from Portland, Redkey and Dunkirk. Participants drove beautifully restored tractors, while others chose to ride alongside in wagons.

The highlight of this year’s Tractor Ride included a reception at West Jay Community Center to honor Jim Bob McEwen of rural Dunkirk. McEwen has been the chief organizer of the annual Tractor Ride since its inception. He chose to step down as chief organizer of the annual Tractor Ride in 2017.

Friends, family and other guests praised McEwen as they spoke about special moments that they have shared with him throughout the years, including the annual Tractor Ride.

This year’s Tractor Ride was a great success due to the generous contributions of Matt Tamano and POET, Ralph Frazee, Dwane Ford and Jay County Sherriff’s Office, Nathan Springer and Portland Police Department, Todd Miller and Redkey Police Department, Dane Mumbower and Dunkirk Police Department, Hull Brothers, Carla Loy and Richards Restaurants, Jay County FFA, Jim Bruner, Tom Zimmerman, Max and Shelba Chenoweth, Al Confer, Bob Grogg, Mike Ninde, Doug Stanley, Gene Ritter, Dave Reese, Pam Robbins and West Jay Community Center and principal organizers Bob Lyons and Jay County Visitor and  Tourism Bureau.

The annual Tractor Ride has become a tradition of sorts that leads in to the annual Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show. 

Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau has been privileged and honored to partner with event organizers to offer the annual Tractor Ride to visitors and area residents. Jay County Visitor and Tourism was instrumental in distributing Jay County Tractor Ride invitations and informational mailings about the event.

All your contributions at making this year’s annual Tractor Ride were very much appreciated.

Gratefully,

Gyneth Augsburger

Executive director

Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau