View from the Cab: Missing it all

By: Kent Casson

Joel Hartman of Ken's Oil serves ice cream cones at a previous Gordyville show.

No Ken’s Oil Service ice cream cones? No popcorn while wandering around looking at farm equipment I probably can’t afford? Say it isn’t so.

The roller coaster ride many refer to as 2020 is apparently starting to carry over into 2021 as we just heard about the cancellation of the Midwest Ag Expo in January – more commonly referred to as the Gordyville farm show.

This is one of my favorite farm events of the year to cover as I often see plenty of familiar faces strolling up and down the aisles while gathering interviews and smelling the freshly-baked Hicksgas chocolate chip cookies. The show always has a down-to-Earth farm feel to it and I enjoy seeing the numerous future leaders there with local FFA programs.

Co-hosts for the show include the Midwest-South Eastern Equipment Dealers Association. The association chairman said the health and safety of the exhibitors and customers is a top priority. Current COVID-19 restrictions would have prevented show organizers from holding the type of experience attendees are used to seeing each year. In fact, this particular show has been around for almost 30 years.

Unfortunately, this year’s Greater Peoria Farm Show was also a victim of the pandemic, although the show has tentatively been rescheduled so there is still hope. The new dates are March 9-11.

“Midwest Shows is currently working with the Peoria Civic Center, exhibitors, host hotel Marriott Pere Marquette and other partners to ensure a smooth transition to these new dates,” said a news release.

If it does happen, the 39th annual Greater Peoria Farm Show is expected to feature over 300 exhibitors with the latest in agricultural equipment and services along with educational seminars. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. More details can be found at www.GreaterPeoriaFarmShow.com or by contacting Midwest Shows at 507-437-7969.

Peoria is another fun show for me as I rarely see a stranger and have a fun time catching up with everyone.

Maybe the Central Illinois Farm Network will have to come up with some sort of complete virtual experience this winter to fill in for some of these non-existent agricultural events.