More than 100 tractors on parade in Charlotte

Elizabeth Murray
Burlington Free Press

CHARLOTTE - Cheers erupted from young members of a crowd that lined Spear Street on Sunday as more than 100 tractors chugged down the road during the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade. 

A young boy, right, holds a flag as a tractor from Twin Oaks Farm passes on Spear Street in Charlotte during the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017.

Some tractor riders waved or honked their horns, while others had decorated trailers that held family members, friends and dogs. Newly turned foliage adorned both sides of the street. 

Despite the threat of rain, hundreds of people turned out for the event, which is in its 17th year. Some who had brought umbrellas in case of rain used them instead to shield themselves from the sun. 

Nora LeBlanc, 3, left, and Isaac LeBlanc, 2, both of Westford hold American flags as they wait for the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade to begin on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017.

Kristyn LeBlanc of Essex Junction, who was attending the parade with her three-year-old son, said it was their second time attending the annual event. 

"He was really young the last time," LeBlanc said. "It was so awe-inspiring for him and he was so excited. As a parent you love seeing that." 

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The parade began in 2001 with about 20 tractors, and it has grown over the last 17 years to include more than 100, said organizer Carrie Spear. Spear is one of the owners of Spears Corner Store in East Charlotte. 

Fr. David Cray, left, and Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, both religious leaders in Charlotte, serve as grand marshals for the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017.

"A tractor pulled into the store in May (of 2001), and I said, 'Oh, do you want to have a tractor parade?'" Spear said. "It all started from there."

She added, "We're in a beautiful agricultural town." 

The annual event now boasts not only the parade, but a bake-off, petting zoo, bounce house provided by Sun Common, music, and vendors. Those who drive tractors in the parade are provided food, and hundreds volunteer to pull off the event each year. Spear said she feels the parade is highly anticipated as people "talked about it all year." 

People riding on a tractor during the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, wave to the crowd as they make their way along Spear Street.

LeBlanc said she entered into the bake-off for the first time this year, entering maple bacon doughnut cupcakes. She said she was optimistic about her chances in the contest. 

"I'm definitely going to win," she said, laughing. 

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John Sheehan, a longtime farmer in Charlotte, said he has attended the tractor parade each year. He said his favorite part is that he seems to meet new people each year. Sheehan sat on his own tractor to watch the parade.  

"It brings everybody together to have a good time, visit, and meet people you don't even know," he said. "My relatives come, so it's a nice day. Everyone loves a tractor parade."

A participant in the annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade raises his arms as he rides down Spear Street on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.