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By Mike Barnhardt

Enterprise Record

C.J. Myers remembers well his first trip to the July 4th tractor parade and show in Mocksville.

He was instantly hooked.

“What kid doesn’t like tractors?,” he asked.

When the first Davie Farm Fest opens on Friday at the picnic grounds off North Main Street, you can bet C.J. – now a college student – will be there with the 1946 John Deer A he just restored; a project started with his grandfather, Lindsey Fishel.

It’s Myers and his family – brother Ryan, mother Michelle and father Cliff – who are spearheading the first farm fest, aided by funding and manpower from Riddle Tractor.

“Wae missed that tractor parade. Everybody loved it,” he said.

While there will not be a tractor parade through downtown, there will be one on site, with an announcer giving details about the machines as they pass.

“We want to give back to the community (The fest is a nonprofit, and all proceeds will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.),” C.J. said. “Hopefully, it will be a good time. I remember it, so hopefully these kids today will have as much fun as I did.”

The show opens on Friday at 9 a.m. for senior citizens and school children, with the public invited from 5-9 p.m., which will feature live music by Shoulder2Shoulder. A kid’s pedal pull will start at 7 p.m.

Gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, with live demonstrations every hour – all farm related. Area farms and tractor owners can participate for free. There is a small fee for other vendors. Admission is free, although a cash donation or canned food donation for Second Harvest is suggested.

“We’re trying to get some education out there about our farmers, about how small farms can work,” C.J. said.

Among the offerings will be a barrell train for the kids, demonstrations from a blacksmith, farm animals and equipment. Do you have vegetables to sell? You can set up for free.

“Anything farm related is welcome,” Michelle said. “We started this in late May, and we’re still getting hits from people who want to participate.”

Saturday’s events include a kid’s pedal pull at 10 a.m., live entertainment with Gaining Ground at 10 a.m. and Hazy Ridge Bluegrass at 12:30. The vintage tractor parade around the grounds at 2 p.m. will close the event.

The Myers family hopes some new memories will be created, and the event will gain momentum.

“My grandpa bought me a 1946 John Deer A after a tractor parade downtown,” C.J. said. “It’s why I’ve liked tractors since I was a little kid.”