The sights and sounds of a bygone era will return to the Manilla Showground next month, with the Manilla Vintage Machinery Group preparing for another huge Annual Rally on 6 and 7 June.
Held beneath the town’s historic viaduct, the much-loved event will once again showcase vintage tractors, stationary engines, trucks, cars, motorbikes and machinery, alongside family entertainment, market stalls and demonstrations celebrating rural life and farming history.
A special feature of this year’s rally is the celebration of 80 years of the iconic “Little Grey Fergie” tractor.
Manilla Vintage Machinery Group President Tim Scanlon said the Ferguson tractor remained one of the most recognisable and beloved pieces of farming equipment ever produced.
“Our feature there this year is the Little Grey Fergie because it’s 80 years old,” he said.
The feature vehicle of the year appears on a special collectable mug, available for purchase on the day.
The rally will also include a steam engine display from Tamworth, sheep shearing demonstrations, stationary engines, vintage vehicles and the ever-popular grand parade through town on Saturday morning.
“We have our grand parade, kicks off around about 11 o’clock on the Saturday morning and does a round of the main street back down to the showground again,” Mr Scanlon said.
“There’ll be cars, trucks, tractors and all that. I’m quite sure there might be a few motorbikes here this year.”
For collectors and bargain hunters, the large swap meet remains one of the rally’s biggest drawcards.
“There’s a great big swap meet up at the south end of the showground,” Mr Scanlon said.
This year’s event will also feature woodturners, Men’s Shed displays, sewing machines, market stalls and plenty of food vendors, while children can enjoy carnival favourites including fairy floss, snow cones, popcorn and jumping castles.
“There’s a little bit of something for everybody,” Mr Scanlon said.
Festivities begin before the gates officially open, with a Tractor Trek planned for Friday ahead of the weekend rally.
Participants will travel through the Manilla district, including routes along the Namoi River and Halls Creek Road.
“I reckon it’ll be a good one,” Mr Scanlon said.
“It would be about maybe 100 kilometres. Even if they’ve been to the National Park, they’ve probably never been up that way on a tractor.”
The rally continues to celebrate not just machinery, but the stories and lifestyles connected to regional Australia’s farming heritage.
“I think everyone seems to be going back to the nostalgia of some of that sort of older farming equipment at the moment,” Mr Scanlon said.
“This new stuff that’s coming out today, it is absolutely mind-boggling.”
Mr Scanlon said one of the strengths of the group was its relaxed and community-minded atmosphere.
“The club is going pretty well,” he said.
“It just runs as smooth as glass.”
For those interested in joining the Club, there will be an office on site housed in a caravan to allow people to sign up and find out more about what’s involved in becoming a member.
Camping will be available onsite throughout the weekend, including a limited number of powered sites for those arriving early.
The Manilla Vintage Machinery Group Annual Rally will run from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, 6 June, and 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, 7 June at the Manilla Showground.
Entry is $10 for adults, with children under 16 admitted free. Saturday night dinner will also be held at the bowling club, with bookings available through the group during the rally weekend.
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Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au