East Charlotte Gears Up for
the Tractor Parade

by Carrie Spear and the “Tractor Ladies”

Eight years ago the first East Charlotte Tractor Parade rolled through Baptist Corners, and this year’s version will roll on October 12.
Here is how it works – call what follows “Tractor Parade 101” if you’re academic.
Activities around the East Charlotte Green start at noon. The parade itself heads north on Spear Street from Dave Nichols’ farm at about 1:30 p.m. after the drivers finish a special BBQ lunch prior to the parade with dessert supplied by the Charlotte Grange.
We ask spectators to stand behind the ribbons placed at designated viewing areas as the vehicles come up Spear Street.
Food will be available on the green; nothing will be thrown from wagons this year for safety reasons. Rick Tenney and his crew will again serve hamburgers and hot dogs with apple cider from Shelburne Farms and more. Animals, children’s games, a kissing booth and farmers’ market will be located on the west side of Spear Street. Parking is available at Steve Denton’s barn across Hinesburg Road near a tent displaying toy tractors. There is also space at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church on Spear Street south of Hinesburg Road.
Once again Father David Cray and Reverend Will Burhans will serve as Grand Marshals, accompanied by Boy Scout color guards and the music of Rich Steele and his band.
We’d like to thank in advance everyone who comes. Each year the parade has grown while maintaining a modest budget aided by donations of time and money. The CROP Walk (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) will again be held the day before, on Saturday, October 11, starting at 1 p.m. from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Much of the money raised through this event goes directly to the Charlotte Food Shelf. Of course, one should plan to attend the Ethel Atkins Chicken Pie Supper at Charlotte Central School on Saturday evening, with servings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Call the Charlotte Congregational Church at 425-3176 to make reservations.

For more information about the weekend, please call Carrie Spear at 425-4444 or June Bean at 425-2340.