Tab Release
Contact: Amber Dixson
Phone: 505-356-8541 or 800-635-8036


Chuck Wagon Lunch & Antique Tractors Featured at Expo

Portales, NM-- The New Mexico Ag Expo, Feb. 26 and 27, sponsored by New Mexico Bank and Trust and Plateau Wireless, will again delight spectators and vendors alike with their annual Chuck Wagon Lunch with the Portales Rotary Club serving juicy steak while some of the finest antique tractors parade across the show grounds during the noon hour.

The Chuck Wagon Lunch, sponsored by Portales Livestock, is Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Sheep Barn. The Antique Tractor Parades will be held each day at 11:30 a.m. around the midway.

The Portales Rotary Club will be serving steaks to raise money mainly for the Rotary scholarship fund. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any Portales Rotary member, the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce or at the door.

The Chuck Wagon Lunch is Rotary's biggest fund raiser of the year. They served more than 600 steaks last year. According to Charles May, a committee member, the club's members work hard putting on the lunch. Besides the members who cook, two will work the door, six or seven will be serving, and four or five will be cleaning tables.

"This year we will be serving our steaks throughout Portales so if people will get their tickets and let us know, we will be happy to deliver,” May said. Members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce will be taking vendor orders and delivering to their booths.

The annual Antique Tractor Parades seems to entertain and delight spectators of all ages.

Chester Harth is chairman of the Ag Expo’s Antique Tractor Parade. "This year’s parade looks to be even bigger than the past. I think people really enjoy the antique tractors," said Harth. "We are also looking at having a variety of events and games over the two day show.” The shows will differ each day as the exhibitors will come and go, he added.

“The Hale Center museum will be on hand selling chances to win a 1941 Restored Case VC Tractor and it will be in the parade,” Harth added.

The tractor displays get larger each year, featuring more than 30 makes and models of antique tractors, but John Deere tractors seem to be the most popular among owners with some new equipment being added this year.

According to Harth, the South Plains Antique Tractor Association and the Texas Plains Two Cylinder Club have been invited to attend the show and display their tractors. Locals who are not members of a club are also invited to attend.

To register antique tractors for the Expo, contact Chester Harth at 505-273-4396.
For more information about the New Mexico Ag Expo, call the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce at 505-356-8541 or 800-635-8036, e-mail at chamber@portales.com or log onto the Expo web site at www.nmagexpo.com###########