The Tractor Team Made it Happen
by Edd Merritt,
October 21, 2010, pp. 14-15,

Oh, of course, it was the tenth annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade, a tradition near the end of fall harvest season through which the village celebrates its agricultural heritage.

And has it grown over the decade? You bet it has –167 tractors (35 more than last year and all makes and models) moseyed, puffed steam, hauled newlyweds, Santa Claus, pirates and kids throwing candies from Dave Nichols’ farm field up Spear Street to Baptist Corners.

When asked about the parade’s origins, Carrie Spear, proprietor of Spear’s Corner Store and the power behind the parade, said she got the idea shortly after she and her husband, Mike, bought the business. The idea for a parade came when she talked with Howard Lyman, who bragged that his rig was voted best in Hinesburg.

Things began to solidify in Carrie’s mind. Local farmer Joe Bean drove one of his field tractors to the store, popped in for supplies and an enthusiastic Ms. Spear asked whether he would drive it in a parade. A Vermont conversationalist, Joe replied, “nope, not this tractor.” Greg Lind, another regular customer whose neighbor Harv Sharrow collects and restores tractors, talked about starting a parade every time he came in (which was daily).

So, in 2000 Carrie put out the word, and 20 tractors showed up, drove up Spear Street, turned east on Hinesburg Road, shifted down to climb the hill, and parked on the green in front of the store for inspection by peers and pretend-driving by kids. A mere 100 people lined the way to view them.
Each year the number of tractors increased, however. In 2003, Spear formed the heart of the team that continues to organize the event – Debbie Christie and Margaret Roddy, joined by June Bean. When asked today what factors contribute to the ongoing success, Carrie still points to her team that is willing to do whatever is necessary to make it happen. Their enthusiasm has been contagious.

This year, with heavy rains just prior to the parade, she said the willingness of Steve Denton, Clark Hinsdale III and Dave Nichols (on whose farm the tractors gather before the parade) to change plans at the eleventh hour to accommodate parking of more than 500 cars bearing thousands of viewers, was invaluable.

And machines there were to see – old, new, big, small, many makes – some local, others from lower New England or across the lake, some without hitched trailers, others pulling hay wagons full of participants (such as the tractor driven by one of Santa’s elves, towing the grand gentleman himself and his reindeer in the wagon for a ride). One set of cardboard machines moved by foot power: tractors in miniature made and marched by Cindy Bradley’s day care group.

Again this year there was fun, food and music for all with Grand Marshals Father David Cray and Reverend Will Burhans in the lead. Kids petted animals, tossed hula-hoops and dug through corn-filled “sand boxes” with glee. The Tenneys, neighboring storeowners, sold food on the green where people mingled and chatted.

As Carrie Spear said she hoped it would be, community was the name of the game. It reminds people that agriculture remains a central factor in East Charlotte, she said, and she feels it is an important reminder as the town grows and changes.

Specially designed parade T-shirts and wooden model tractors, large and small, are still available in her store. They will be collectors items.

To see pictures of the East Charlotte Tractor Parade, visit The Charlotte News page on Facebook.