Midwest farmers make 147-mile trek

Country roads throughout the area were filled with the chatter of antique tractors on Friday.

The Great Nebraska Tractor Ride sponsored by KTIC Rural Radio began its parade with breakfast in Wisner, Friday morning and ended with Bell Creek Beef at Wilderness Lodge in Fremont in the evening.

Tractors and drivers from Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, South Dakota and even Alabama embarked on the 147-mile trip. Friday’s 82-mile route included Beemer, Lyons, Oakland, Craig, Arlington and Fremont. The group will leave Fremont in the morning heading toward Hooper, Scribner and West Point before finishing up in Wisner Saturday evening.

"It’s neat to see people come together," Chad Moyer, farm reporter for KTIC said.

In total, 119 tractors are participating in the ride.

"You meet a lot of guys who enjoy old iron and have a passion for tractors," said Nikki Ditloff of KTIC.

Gene Kruse of Lincoln is enjoying the trip.

"This is the first on of these I’ve ever been to," said Kruse, who used to farm in the Wisner area.

"All of my friends had told me that I needed to do this," Kruse continued, "So far, it’s turning out good. It’s just a good ol’ Nebraska day."