Old Timers Day Returns to Perryville With Rare Tractors, Games and Family Activities

Old Timers Day 2026 is returning to the American Tractor Museum in Perryville, Missouri, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, bringing together antique tractor fans, farming families, collectors and visitors who want to experience agricultural history up close.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, located at 508 N. Main St. in Perryville. Admission is free, although donations are welcome.

This year’s theme, “Year of the Orphan Tractor,” makes the 2026 event especially interesting for tractor collectors and farm machinery enthusiasts. Instead of focusing only on the most familiar tractor names, Old Timers Day will highlight rare, discontinued and lesser-known tractor brands that helped shape American farming but are no longer commonly seen in fields today.

For anyone who loves antique tractors, vintage farm equipment, tractor restoration, or rural history, this event offers more than a simple display. It is a full-day celebration of old iron, mechanical craftsmanship and the farming traditions that continue to influence today’s equipment market.

What Is Old Timers Day?

Old Timers Day is an annual event hosted at the American Tractor Museum in Perryville. The 2026 event marks the 48th Annual Old Timers Day, making it one of the long-running local celebrations dedicated to tractors, farming history and agricultural heritage.

Visitors can expect a family-friendly day filled with:

• antique tractor displays
• tractor games
• live demonstrations
• tractor show awards
• food vendors
• live music
• children’s activities
• pedal pull
• face painting
• bounce houses
• restoration demonstrations

For many visitors, the biggest attraction is the chance to see older machines that are rarely found outside private collections, barns, salvage yards or restoration shops.

2026 Theme: Year of the Orphan Tractor

The most important detail for the 2026 event is the theme: Year of the Orphan Tractor.

In the tractor world, an orphan tractor usually refers to a tractor made by a company that no longer exists, no longer produces tractors, or no longer supports that specific brand line. These machines often have loyal collector followings because they are unusual, harder to find and sometimes difficult to restore.

Examples of orphan or lesser-seen tractor brands may include names such as:

• Oliver
• Cockshutt
• Minneapolis-Moline
• Allis-Chalmers
• Silver King
• Co-op
• Gibson
• Leader
• Empire
• Waterloo Boy-style early machines
• other discontinued regional brands

Not every orphan tractor is extremely valuable, but many are historically important. Some were ahead of their time. Others were built in small numbers. Many survived only because farmers, mechanics and collectors refused to let them disappear.

That makes the 2026 theme especially meaningful. It gives visitors a chance to see tractors that may not appear at a typical farm equipment show.

Why Orphan Tractors Matter

At first glance, an old tractor may look like just another rusty machine. But for collectors and restorers, orphan tractors tell an important story about agricultural innovation.

Before today’s major brands dominated the market, dozens of companies competed to build better, stronger and more affordable tractors for American farmers. Some brands became household names. Others disappeared through mergers, financial struggles, changing technology or shifting farm needs.

These tractors matter because they show how farming equipment evolved over time.

They also remind us that not every useful machine came from a major manufacturer. Many smaller brands introduced creative designs, unique engineering ideas and practical solutions for farmers working under difficult conditions.

For today’s tractor owners, orphan tractors also raise an important issue: parts availability.

Unlike common John Deere, Farmall, Ford or Massey Ferguson models, many orphan tractors require owners to search through:

• tractor salvage yards
• private collectors
• used tractor parts dealers
• online equipment forums
• antique tractor clubs
• farm auctions
• machine shops
• custom fabrication services

That is why events like Old Timers Day are useful. They connect people who know where rare parts, manuals and restoration knowledge can still be found.

Featured Guest: Max Armstrong

One of the major highlights of Old Timers Day 2026 will be the appearance of Max Armstrong, widely recognized as one of the best-known voices in American agriculture.

For generations of farmers, rural families and equipment fans, Max Armstrong has been connected with farm broadcasting, agricultural news and the stories of rural America.

His presence adds extra value to the event, especially for visitors who follow farming media, tractor history and agricultural storytelling.

Tractor Restoration Demonstrations

Another important part of the event will be the restoration work connected with Dan Brinkmann and the Four Rivers Career Center Night Shift class.

For tractor enthusiasts, this is one of the most useful parts of the day. Restoration is not only about repainting a tractor. A proper tractor restoration can involve:

• engine repair
• carburetor rebuilding
• fuel system cleaning
• electrical work
• hydraulic inspection
• sheet metal repair
• paint preparation
• decal replacement
• tire and rim inspection
• sourcing original or used OEM parts

Restoration demonstrations help visitors understand what it takes to bring an old machine back to life.

For younger visitors and students, this also shows how mechanical skills remain valuable. Even as modern agriculture becomes more digital, the ability to repair, rebuild and understand machinery is still important.

What Visitors Can Expect

Old Timers Day is designed for both serious tractor collectors and casual visitors. You do not need to be a mechanic or farmer to enjoy the event.

Here is a quick look at what the day is expected to offer:

Event Feature	Why It Matters
Antique Tractor Displays	See restored, original and rare tractors up close
Orphan Tractor Theme	Highlights discontinued and lesser-known tractor brands
Tractor Games	Adds entertainment and community participation
Live Demonstrations	Shows how old tractors and equipment operate
Restoration Work	Helps visitors learn how tractors are brought back to life
Food Vendors	Makes the event easy for families to enjoy all day
Kids Activities	Includes pedal pull, bounce houses and face painting
Live Music	Creates a festival-style atmosphere
Tractor Show Awards	Recognizes collectors and owners preserving old machines
Free Admission	Makes the event accessible to the community

Why Tractor Owners Should Attend

If you own an older tractor, this type of event can be more valuable than it first appears.

Old Timers Day gives tractor owners a chance to meet other collectors, mechanics and restorers who may know where to find hard-to-locate parts. That can be especially helpful if you own an orphan tractor or a model with limited parts support.

A casual conversation at a tractor show can lead to:

• a source for used tractor parts
• a restoration tip
• a service manual recommendation
• a lead on a salvage yard
• a buyer for spare parts
• help identifying a rare model
• advice on paint colors or decals
• information about serial numbers

For many vintage tractor owners, the community is just as important as the machine.

The Connection Between Antique Tractors and Today’s Used Parts Market

Events like Old Timers Day also connect directly to the modern used tractor parts market.

As more farmers and landowners keep older equipment running, demand for used OEM parts continues to grow. Many older tractors are still useful for light farm work, hay operations, property maintenance, garden plots, utility chores and parade use.

However, keeping those machines working often depends on access to:

• used engines
• carburetors
• radiators
• starters
• generators
• transmissions
• PTO parts
• hydraulic components
• sheet metal
• rims and tires
• drawbars
• three-point hitch parts

That is where tractor salvage yards and antique equipment networks become extremely important.

A restored tractor at a museum event may look beautiful, but behind that restoration are hours of searching for parts, matching components and repairing old systems.

For visitors who own or plan to buy an older tractor, Old Timers Day can offer real-world insight into what it takes to maintain classic equipment.

Why Perryville Is a Strong Location for This Event

Perryville, Missouri, has deep rural and agricultural roots, making it a natural home for a tractor-focused event. The American Tractor Museum helps preserve that connection by giving visitors a place to learn about farm machinery, rural work and the development of tractors over time.

The event’s location at 508 N. Main St. also makes it accessible for local families, regional visitors and tractor owners who may want to bring equipment for display.

Free public parking is expected at Regions Bank and the American Legion Hall, while semi-truck and trailer parking will be available around the museum area. That is important because tractor shows often attract owners hauling machines from surrounding communities.

Should You Bring a Tractor?

Organizers are encouraging tractor owners and collectors to bring older tractors, farm equipment and implements for display or demonstrations.

If you plan to bring a tractor, it is smart to prepare ahead of time.

Before hauling equipment to the event, check:

• fuel level
• battery condition
• tire pressure
• oil level
• coolant level
• brakes
• steering
• trailer tie-downs
• ramps
• registration or event instructions
• display requirements

If your tractor has an interesting story, restoration history or rare parts, bring that information too. Visitors often enjoy learning the background behind each machine.

Tips for Families Visiting Old Timers Day

Old Timers Day is not just for collectors. Families can easily make a full day out of the event.

A few simple tips:

• arrive early for better parking
• bring comfortable shoes
• carry water if the weather is warm
• let kids try age-appropriate activities
• take photos of rare tractors
• talk to owners and restorers
• ask questions about the machines
• support food vendors and museum donations

For children, seeing antique tractors in person can make farming history feel real. It is one thing to read about old equipment. It is another thing to stand next to a machine that worked fields decades ago.

Why This Event Matters for Agricultural Heritage

Old Timers Day is more than entertainment. It helps preserve the memory of how American farming changed over time.

Every tractor on display represents a piece of that history. Some machines helped families plant crops, bale hay, pull wagons, cultivate fields or power belt-driven equipment. Others spent decades sitting in barns before someone decided they were worth saving.

That is the real value of an event like this.

It keeps old machines visible. It teaches younger generations about rural work. It gives restorers a place to share their knowledge. And it reminds modern equipment owners that today’s tractors are built on more than a century of mechanical progress.

Quick Event Details

Detail	Information
Event Name	Old Timers Day 2026
Location	American Tractor Museum
Address	508 N. Main St., Perryville, Missouri
Date	Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time	9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission	Free admission, donations welcome
Theme	Year of the Orphan Tractor
Main Attractions	Antique tractors, demonstrations, games, food, music and kids activities
Special Guest	Max Armstrong
Parking	Public parking at Regions Bank and American Legion Hall; trailer parking near museum

FAQ: Old Timers Day 2026 at the American Tractor Museum

When is Old Timers Day 2026?

Old Timers Day 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where is Old Timers Day held?

The event will be held at the American Tractor Museum, located at 508 N. Main St. in Perryville, Missouri.

Is admission free?

Yes. Admission is free, although donations are welcome to support the museum and event activities.

What is the theme for Old Timers Day 2026?

The 2026 theme is “Year of the Orphan Tractor.” This theme highlights rare, discontinued and lesser-known tractor brands.

What is an orphan tractor?

An orphan tractor is generally a tractor from a brand that is no longer produced or widely supported. These tractors are often popular with collectors because they are unusual, rare or historically important.

Can tractor owners bring equipment to display?

Yes. Organizers are encouraging owners and collectors to bring older tractors, farm equipment and implements for display or demonstrations.

Is the event family-friendly?

Yes. The event will include children’s activities such as a pedal pull, face painting and bounce houses, along with food vendors and live music.

Why should tractor collectors attend?

Collectors can see rare tractors, meet other enthusiasts, learn restoration tips and connect with people who may know where to find hard-to-locate parts.

Old Timers Day 2026 in Perryville is shaping up to be a strong event for anyone interested in antique tractors, orphan tractors, tractor restoration, farm equipment history and rural heritage.

The American Tractor Museum’s focus on the Year of the Orphan Tractor gives this year’s event a unique angle. Instead of only celebrating the most famous tractor brands, it brings attention to the rare and overlooked machines that also helped build American agriculture.

For families, it offers a fun and educational day out. For collectors, it is a chance to see unusual machines and meet people who understand old iron. For tractor owners, it may even lead to restoration ideas, parts leads or useful connections.

Whether you are a lifelong farmer, a vintage tractor collector, a rural history fan or simply looking for a family-friendly event in Missouri, Old Timers Day is worth adding to your calendar.