Farm show to feature new
tractors, combines
By Heather Mangold
City Editor
The Farm Progress Show, which is being held in
Tippecanoe County this week, is expected to bring nearly 300,000 people
from across the nation to the area.
The show, which runs Tuesday through Thursday,
will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. each day. It is located on
the family farms of Alan Kemper and Jerry Smit between Tippecanoe County
roads 700 S. and 800 S., west of U.S. 52. Admission for adults is $5
and children between the ages of 13 and 17 must pay $2. Admission for
children age 12 and under and parking are free.
Show manager Keith Ryan said this show is different
from shows in past years in several ways.
"A lot is being showcased for the first time,"
said Ryan.
Ryan said four major companies would be exhibiting
newly released equipment never presented to the public before, such
as new tractor models and a new combine. Dealers among the companies
presenting the latest in agricultural technology include Case DMI, John
Deere, New Holland, Caterpillar Inc., Ford and Dodge. In all, 400 companies
will be promoting new agricultural technology and services.
"This is the most new equipment we've had for a
while," said Ryan.
Additional new features to the show include on-site
Internet access, a new 500-foot varied industries tent, global positioning
systems and a 5-acre maze shaped in the form of Purdue's Boilermaker
Special.
Each year, the Farm Progress Show rotates between
Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. Last year the show was held in Cantal, Ill.
JoAnn Wade, president of the Greater Lafayette
Convention's Visitor Bureau, said the process in which Tippecanoe County
became the host of the show began in 1995. Show director Mark Randal
selected this area to host the show after bids were submitted and committees
reviewed the bids.
Wade said bid submitters wanted the show to be
in Tippecanoe County because of the economic prosperity it would bring,
as well as the good publicity the show hordes each year. Greater Lafayette
hotels and restaurants are expecting large rewards from the show's visitors.
Some hotels have been filled for this week's show since 1999.
In 2000, the show was postponed because of rain.
Ryan said if rain were a problem this year, measures would be taken
to remain on schedule as much as possible.
"As long as we can get cars parked we can hold
the show," said Ryan.
Ryan said show workers could remove water from
the exhibit field in order to keep things running smoothly. If however,
rain was so much of a problem that cars could not be parked, show days
would be cancelled rather than postponed because dealers often have
new shows to move on to following the Farm Progress Show.
Because the show will be held just outside of Lafayette,
Purdue took advantage of its closeness by providing several amenities
for the show.
Dana Neary, events coordinator for Purdue, said
Purdue departments would hold a "show within the show." Several departments
within the School of Agriculture will provide tents and booths, promoting
the University to show-goers, said Neary.
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