On a warm summer’s night 40 years ago a small group gathered at the Madison County Fairgrounds to ponder an idea. The group included the owners of a weight transfer machine (pulling sled) from the Norwich area along with Madison County Fair Board Members; Raymond Whitford, Raymond Morgan, Harry Larkin, Geoffrey Worden and Milton Jones. These men saw a need for an end of season event, a last hurrah of summer. The feature event would be Tractor Pulls; Stock, Modified, and Garden Tractors. The venue would also include a chicken BBQ, craft and flea markets, gas engine and antique car displays and live music. Raymond Morgan coined the name Wheel Day, thus the beginnings of an annual event that has survived the test of time.
The first year was a huge success with the chicken BBQ and one food stand unable to keep up with the demand of the hungry patrons. Many Community organizations set up fund raising booths such as the ring toss game and milk can ball throw. Currently and for the past several years the Brookfield Central School’s Senior Class has held an auction to help fund their class trip. The flea markets consisted of 90% antiques and the crafters wares ranged from chainsaw art to homemade fudge. Some of the vendors from the very first Wheel Day have consistently and to this day still participate.
For several years parking, gate and grandstand admission were all free of charge. Forty years later the parking and gate admission has remained free of charge, with the grandstand admission being only $5 to $6 dollars.
Various shows and events have come and gone throughout the years. There have been Pedal Tractor, Radio Controlled, and ATV pulls. Along with Antique Stock Car, Go Cart and Motorcycle Races. Thrill Shows and helicopter rides. In the mid 1980’s Wheel Day grew from a single day event into a weekend full of events to become Wheel Days.
Some of the names and faces have changed as the years have spun by, but Wheel Days remains much the same as its founding fathers envisioned it and is as popular today as it was in 1971. On Sept. 23rd- 25th Wheel Days will celebrate 40 years of wheel turning excitement.
Friday, Sept. 23rd at 6pm Fritz Polka Band will take the stage and at 7pm the Diesel Truck Pull will kick off a weekend full of events. Saturday, Sept. 24th at 9am the Gas Truck Pull ,10am Antique Tractor, Race Car, and Snowmobile Display and at 6pm the Demolition Derby and Rollover Contest followed by a Fireworks. Sunday, Sept.25th at 8am Tractor Pull , 10am Just Cruise-In Welcomes all Classic, Custom, Antique, Muscle Cars, Trucks, and Cycles, 12pm Chicken BBQ, and 1pm the Brookfield Central School’s Senior Class Auction. There will be live music, food and special events celebrating 40 years of Wheel Days the entire weekend.
For More Information on Events at the Madison County Fairgrounds visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com or Friend us on Facebook “The Madison County Fair”
The first year was a huge success with the chicken BBQ and one food stand unable to keep up with the demand of the hungry patrons. Many Community organizations set up fund raising booths such as the ring toss game and milk can ball throw. Currently and for the past several years the Brookfield Central School’s Senior Class has held an auction to help fund their class trip. The flea markets consisted of 90% antiques and the crafters wares ranged from chainsaw art to homemade fudge. Some of the vendors from the very first Wheel Day have consistently and to this day still participate.
For several years parking, gate and grandstand admission were all free of charge. Forty years later the parking and gate admission has remained free of charge, with the grandstand admission being only $5 to $6 dollars.
Various shows and events have come and gone throughout the years. There have been Pedal Tractor, Radio Controlled, and ATV pulls. Along with Antique Stock Car, Go Cart and Motorcycle Races. Thrill Shows and helicopter rides. In the mid 1980’s Wheel Day grew from a single day event into a weekend full of events to become Wheel Days.
Some of the names and faces have changed as the years have spun by, but Wheel Days remains much the same as its founding fathers envisioned it and is as popular today as it was in 1971. On Sept. 23rd- 25th Wheel Days will celebrate 40 years of wheel turning excitement.
Friday, Sept. 23rd at 6pm Fritz Polka Band will take the stage and at 7pm the Diesel Truck Pull will kick off a weekend full of events. Saturday, Sept. 24th at 9am the Gas Truck Pull ,10am Antique Tractor, Race Car, and Snowmobile Display and at 6pm the Demolition Derby and Rollover Contest followed by a Fireworks. Sunday, Sept.25th at 8am Tractor Pull , 10am Just Cruise-In Welcomes all Classic, Custom, Antique, Muscle Cars, Trucks, and Cycles, 12pm Chicken BBQ, and 1pm the Brookfield Central School’s Senior Class Auction. There will be live music, food and special events celebrating 40 years of Wheel Days the entire weekend.
For More Information on Events at the Madison County Fairgrounds visit us online at www.madisoncountyfairny.com or Friend us on Facebook “The Madison County Fair”
RSS Feed