By Erin Smith
This weekend the 26th annual Old Fashioned Planters Day is being held at the Graham Family Farm on Old Fayetteville Road in Ammon. The sound of hit and miss engines and the chug-chugging of tractors could be heard along with the occasional “ooga” horn warning pedestrians of an oncoming vehicle on Friday.
The Murray family of Wallace was just one of several exhibitors that chose to make the weekend a family occasion. Jeff and Shelby Murray joined their son, Jeff Murray III, and grandchildren Rowan and Gracie Murray for the event. Their display included antique tractors and engines.
“We know a lot of the exhibitors,” said Jeff Murray.
He said he became involved in events such as Planters Day through his hobby of collecting old tools and odd gadgets.
“We started out collecting grist mills. You have to have an engine to run the grist mill,” said Murray.
He said now his collection has expanded to include antique tools, engines, and more.
William Graham, who is the brother of Neil Graham who owns the Graham farm, was enjoying the event as well. He said the Graham family enjoys helping with the event each year.
He said Planters Day was originally sponsored by the Ruritan Clubs of White Oak and Ammon. William Graham said now it is mainly volunteers and the Graham family who help to put the event on.
The Graham family has also started the Graham Ag Museum which is filled with a wide array of agricultural tools, logging tools, and other odd tools and implements. Their father collected old tools until he died and they divided the collection among themselves and some are on display in the museum.
“We’ve all collected tools over the years,” said Graham.
Collecting has been a hobby for all of the Graham family.
“We enjoy it,” said Graham of the event.
As you browse the museum don’t forget to check out the table of unusual tools and test your knowledge by guessing the uses for the tools on display.
Also, a saw mill demonstration will be taking place periodically throughout the weekend. There was a chicken and rice dinner on Friday and Country and Gospel music will be performed both Friday and Saturday. Crafts and food vendors are also on hand.
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