Fifth annual Orange County farm toy show a success

By Connor Linskey
Posted 11/6/19

Farm toy collectors from throughout Orange County gathered at the Maybrook Senior Center for a day of fun on Saturday. The event was sponsored by the Orange County Farmers Museum with help from the …

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Fifth annual Orange County farm toy show a success

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Farm toy collectors from throughout Orange County gathered at the Maybrook Senior Center for a day of fun on Saturday. The event was sponsored by the Orange County Farmers Museum with help from the Orange County Farm Bureau.

Outside of the senior center, farming enthusiasts were treated to a collection of antique tractors. Adjacent to the tractors was a haypress, which demonstrated how bales of hay are produced. A raffle was held for a pedal tractor, an excellent gift for any young farmer. Maybrook Honey provided samples of their tasty honey.

The fun continued inside the senior center. Vendors sold new and used farm toys, memorabilia and gift items. Exhibitors showcased their impressive farm toy collections. Sought after toy tractors crowded the tables. Scale model farm dioramas gave vivid depictions of farms. A contest was held for the best adult and child farm display. Attendees got to bid on farm memorabilia in a silent auction.

Children ages 10 and under competed in the pedal tractor pull. Silas Wieboldt came in first place in the four-and-under age group. Wyatt Wilson won the contest for children ages five, six and seven. Hannah Wieboldt was victorious in the competition for eight, nine and 10-year-olds, pulling the tractor 35 feet 10 inches. Spectators cheered from the sidelines as the contestants showcased their strength.

Edith Bush, co-chair of the Orange County Toy Show, noted that the event helps garner appreciation for dairy farming. Right now, dairy farmers in Orange County are struggling to make a profit. The cost of milk production is high, while milk prices are low. Currently, there are only 33 active dairy farmers in the county and there used to be hundreds.

“We are trying to preserve the history of agriculture in Orange County,” Bush said.

Smiles could be seen throughout the toy show. There was something there for farming enthusiasts of all ages.

“We liked the show,” said Louie Pokrywka, a farm toy collector who attended the event. “Everyone is pretty much farm related and grew up on a farm years back.”