Hadley – In years past, when Michigan fields began turning gold, John Martin’s tractors were put to work harvesting crops.
Their work days long gone, the antique orange Co-op tractors are now used to celebrate the season during Hadley Harvest Fest, to be held Sept. 18 and 19 this year.
The Hadley Harvest Fest parade has been known to feature a tractor lineup that’s bigger and better than larger towns? parades, said Martin, with a glint of pride.
This year’s Sept. 18 lineup begins at 8 a.m.
Saturday’s events feature a custom car show, a township-wide lawn sale, a draft horse pulling and plowing demonstration, a parade, the tractor show, a used book sale at the former silk shop at Hadley and Pratt roads, and a saw demonstration in the Old Mill, recently donated to the township by Marie Hartwig.
Hadley T-shirts and calendars will also be sold at the Old Mill, or look for mugs, ornaments, T-shirts and sweatshirts at The Parlour.
Hungry? Food will be available at The Parlour, or groceries at Hadley General Store. The Lions Club will serve hot dogs, bratwurst, and kielbasa at the Old Feed Store, or opt for a lunch of sloppy Joes, hot dogs, pop, and chips beginning at 11 a.m. at the town hall.
After lunch, an afternoon jam-packed with entertainment with take place beneath the tents at the Hadley Town Hall.
Look for clogging by the American Rhythm Dancers beginning at 1 p.m., followed by country singer Katie Whitis, demonstrations by Lapeer’s Korean Marshall Arts Institute, singer Marcella Richardson, and country singer Joe Tooley. Bring your lawn chairs, advise festival planners.
On Sunday, the music lineup begins at 1 p.m. with gospel singers Michell Pietras and Marlene Breeze, followed by Katie Whitis, gospel singers Brian Wooley and Friends, gospel music from the Knights of Columbus of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, wrapping up with the music of Joe Tooley.
Trolley service will be provided to enable festival-goers to travel easily from one end of town to the other, said Hadley Township Chamber of Commerce member Mike Madeja, of The Parlour.
Martin’s brother-in-law, Carl Gearhart of Arizona, plans his vacation around Hadley Harvest Fest. A former farmer in the area, he looks forward to driving one of the Co-op tractors and seeing old friends, says Martin.
A six-year tradition that originated with the late Rachel Broecker, Hadley Harvest Fest is one of the area’s defining events. It’s the sort of happening that draws nearby citizens to the four-corners town.
‘A Goodrich lady told me she couldn’t believe for a small little stop sign town that we’ve got so much to do here,? Madeja said.
With the participation of more chamber members in the future, Madeja expects the festival to grow.
‘We just need a lot more volunteers to help,? he said. ‘We could put on something even bigger.?
Space is available for local residents to participate in the lawn sale. To learn more, call (810) 797-5430 or (810) 797-4225 between 8 a.m. and noon.