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For the past few years, we’ve had the pleasure of heading out to Cabool, Missouri, to the Ozarks Older Iron Club Shows in the spring and fall. Our grandchildren love to go along with us, and spend time in the children’s play area, as well as watch the tractor parade. In the fall, I always purchase a jar or two of fresh-pressed sorghum. The club is preparing for its annual fall show, which will be held on Oct. 9 and 10. I asked my friend, Stephanie Connell, who is in the club with her husband, Brian, to describe the club and shows. Here’s what she sent me.

The Ozarks Older Iron Club Fall Show

The Ozarks Older Iron Club (OOIC) began in 1988 when three men had an idea. Robert Moore, Joe Hardin and Bruce Dawson had a vision of an Antique Engine and Tractor Club for the area. Twenty-nine people attended their first meeting. Over time they purchased the land where they are now located at 310 Canaday in Cabool and started collecting equipment and building buildings. They have a club house, log cabin, workshops, black smith shop and numerous sheds for storage as well as a tractor pulling track and bleachers for spectators.

OICC fall show — Our grandchildren have been attending the show for a few years now, and they love everything about it — except maybe the loud steam blast from Jumbo!

The OOIC holds a show and tractor pull twice a year. The first is the second weekend in May and the fall show is the second weekend in October. They demonstrate various sawmills that show sawing lumber, barrel staves and shake shingles, using old tractors to power them. At the October show you can watch them press the juice out of sorghum they raised on the property and then cook the juice down into molasses. Other demonstrations might be how they baled hay and straw 100 years ago or even how they threshed oats.

sawmill OICC — Brian Connell (on the right) works alongside a club member to cut wood.

boys at sawmill — These fellows used an old-time sawmill.

There is an antique tractor parade both days of the show at 11 a.m., which usually includes Jumbo, an antique steam engine. They offer a play area for the kids near the log cabin that may look like the one your grandparents grew up in. The cook shack offers wonderful food to purchase all day. Biscuits and gravy are a hit for breakfast, and the chili baked potato is very popular. The homemade pies, desserts and homemade ice cream are always crowd pleasers.

Vintage John Deere tractor — You’ll see plenty of old John Deere tractors in the parade.

Farmall tractor — Another favorite tractor is the Farmall brand.

The Tuesday work crew restores an antique tractor every year and sells raffle tickets from spring until fall to raise money for improvements to the club grounds. The raffle tractor will be driven in the parade each day of the show.

Making sorghum — It’s hot work, but oh so tasty. Making the sorghum.

I always buy a couple of jars of sorghum to make my grandma’s molasses cookies.

The show will be held October 9 and 10. Both evenings will end with a tractor pull and the winning ticket for the raffle tractor will be drawn on October 10^th around 6 p.m. You do not have to be present to win. Admission and parking are free. This is a family-friendly event and a great way to enjoy and learn about the history of farming and homesteading in the Ozarks.