By Kirk Klocke
kklocke@agrinews.com
BLUE EARTH, Minn -- At 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 1, a caravan of tractors will set out on a 100-mile journey across southern Minnesota.
The first "tractorcade" to Farmfest was held last year, and co-chair Mike Parry hopes it will become an annual tradition. Parry is the general manager of Linder radio stations in Mankato. He said 42 tractor owners participated last year, and he hopes twice as many will participate this year.
The event is partially sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Growers to help raise awareness about the benefits of biodiesel, a fuel made from soybeans.
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The remaining cost of the event is covered by a $50 entry fee for one day and $75 for both days. The fee includes meals, a hat and a T-shirt.
Participants can pay extra to spend the night at a hotel in St. James. They will receive a discount if they're a member of the MSGA. Those who ride both days will receive free admission to Farmfest, which will be the the end of the route.
Funds left over will be saved in a scholarship fund. Parry's goal is to get more people involved so the fund can provide scholarships to people who want to study agriculture.
"We'd like to be able to give a couple $1,000 scholarships every year, but we have to build up to it first," Parry said.
Tractorcade registrations will be accepted through July 25.
