Nostalgia, collecting and the thrill of the hunt for that hard-to-find piece are all part of the draw for farm toy enthusiasts looking forward to the Starkville Farm Toy Show at the Mississippi Horse Park Feb. 27-28.
The show is open to anyone with farm-related toys — tractors, trucks, implements, animals, buildings, logging equipment — who would like to set up to sell, trade or just display, said co-organizer Mitch Sisson. Vendors will set up to sell new and used, and even broken, farm toys.
“And we’ll have a few tables set up with display-only pieces,” Sisson added. “We will have information on repairing and restoring farm toys, and there will be some custom-built farm toys on display.”
Greg Flint, one of the organizers, said the event is a great resource for answering any questions about how to fix or customize the toys.
“There are always people who bring broken toys in and wonder if they can be fixed and most are amazed that they can be,” Flint said. “We want to encourage people to bring those toys to the show and let us look at them.”
Reserve table space
Table rates for the event from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 27 and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 28 are $15 for the first table and $10 for each additional table. Space in the upper level education room site is limited, but Sisson said they will do whatever is needed to keep from turning anyone away. “If you come, we’ll get you set up,” he pledged.
This year an auction for real farm equipment takes place in the Horse Park arena Feb. 28.
“We hope we can draw people from the auction to come walk through the toys,” Sisson remarked. “And toy show people might find something they want to bid on at the auction.”
Collectors, vendors and the curious gather at farm toy shows to share their interest, and their farm stories, as well.
“Every year we meet a lot of different people,” said co-organizer Billy Self. “It is a great way to teach ourselves and teach the public a little about the history of farming — and we always have a great time.”
To reserve tables, contact Sisson at 662-769-3107 or Flint at 662-418-9101. The public is invited to attend the Farm Toy Show, at no charge. Concessions will be available.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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