STE. GENEVIEVE – The grinds, the creaks, the tick-tick-ticking, and the belch of smoke are music to the ears of antique tractor lovers. It’s hard to find anyone who does not love tractors. They’re just plain cool.
The Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center invites tractor enthusiasts of all ages to the museum on Saturday, June 25th for a tractor cruise in. Tractors of all makes, models and sizes are welcome and will be parked along Market Street in front of the museum and even on the museum courtyard.
The museum expects 40 or more tractors for the event. Tractors will begin parking at 7 a.m. and will be on display all day.
While tractor owners and drivers mingle and exchange tractor tales, their family members can enjoy the museum and all that it has to offer. Visitors can vote for their favorite tractor in the museum gift shop. The winning tractor owner will receive an annual museum membership, and of course, bragging rights.
Robert Wolk, a tractor enthusiast himself and president of the SGMLC Executive Board, said keeping antique tractors running is a way of preserving our agricultural past.
“The tractors do good work, they don’t complain, they feed us, they do the work that makes us productive, and they’re fun to drive,” he said. “How can anyone resist?”
The museum will also be open Friday evening, June 24 for the 4th Friday Art Walk and Happy Hour from 5:00-8:00 pm. There is free museum admission with a paid Happy Hour ticket that includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
The SGMLC has announced special summer hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily to allow visitors to plan trips to the River Rapids Water Park or the many other attractions in Ste. Genevieve. The tickets are good for all-day entry, so in case of rain, you can come back to the museum.
Abigail Kern, SGMLC office manager, said the museum is filling its calendar with plenty of summer activities.
“From Wednesday workshops for the kids to fossil ID clinics, we’ve got plenty of activities, and of course, we invite groups to tour.”
The Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center is located at 360 Market Street in Ste. Genevieve and can be reached by calling 573-883-DINO.