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SPRINGFIELD: Farmers support the troops with triumph

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   SPRINGFIELD — Seventy tractors plowed through the area as farmers partook in the second annual Tractor Parade on July 15.
   While at least two of the tractors came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and a few arrived from northern New Jersey, most of the tractors in the parade were from Burlington County.
   The parade, sponsored by the Central Jersey Tractor Pullers Association, left the Burlington County Fairgrounds in Springfield at 10 a.m.
   The 35-mile route — four miles longer than the 2011 parade route — winded through various townships in the area including Wrightstown, New Egypt and Mansfield.
   This year’s theme, “Salute to the Troops,” saw tractors adorned with American flags, military décor and liberty inspired banners.
   The parade route also included McGuire Air Force Base and military housing in North Hanover, and the Brigadier William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown.
   According to Paul Shinn, president of the Central Jersey Tractor Pullers Association, a few Vietnam War veterans participated in the parade this year.
   One of those veterans, Bob Curtis who served in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict, drove up from Northern Virginia with his wife Darlene Sunday morning to be a part of the parade.
   ”My brother-in-law and nephew are in the William C. Doyle Cemetery,” Mr. Curtis stated.
   For Craig Higginbotham, a local farmer from Marlton, this was his second year participating in the parade.
   ”The club ( — the Central Jersey Tractor Pullers Association — ) is doing a great thing for local agriculture,” he said.
   Ed Lovenduski, of Jobstown, a lifelong farmer, participated in the parade for the first time this year.
   ”A good friend of mine, Mr. Lounsberry, passed a way a couple of months ago. He was planning on doing the parade this year. I am doing the parade in honor of him,” Mr. Lovenduski stated.
   This was also the first year that Richard W. Kniesler Jr., a farmer from Berlin, participated in the historic event.
   ”I heard about the parade and it seemed like a good cause. We have to support our troops because without them — we wouldn’t be here,” Mr. Kniesler said.
   According to Robert “Boots” Gancarz, a local farmer from North Hanover and one of the organizers of the parade, “The parade is bigger this year with a longer route and more tractors. Last year the parade went from the old Burlington County Fairgrounds in Lumberton to the new Fairgrounds here. Each year we plan to have a different theme and a different route.”
   Many residents from the Burlington County area came out to show support for the farmers as well as the troops.
   Springfield resident Paul Sprague and his family watched the parade as it left the fairgrounds in Springfield.
   ”The parade has become a tradition to the area and the farming community. It is a lot bigger this year,” Mr. Sprague said.
   Mansfield resident Debbie Houseworth watched the parade from the Brigadier William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown with her family.
   ”This is our first year watching the parade. I come from a local farming family. We go to a lot of the tractor pulls,” Ms. Houseworth said, adding, “both my parents and my husband’s parents are in this cemetery.”
   Chuck Howard, also of Mansfield, watched the parade from the Veterans Cemetery as well.
   ”I am a fourth generation farmer,” stated Mr. Howard, noting, “this is the first year that I have watched the parade. I joined the Central Jersey Tractor Pullers Association this year. This parade is a great idea.”
   According to Barbara Shinn, wife Mr. Shinn, the parade was initially started to “promote the Central Jersey Tractor Pullers Club and to show that agriculture is still strong in New Jersey and mostly to have fun.”
   ”The parade is a good time for all and it’s a good break from a long season this year. It especially helps us take our mind off of the draught,” Ms. Shinn said.
   The parade itself took approximately hours to complete, which also included a rest stop at the Jacobstown Fire House, before returning to the Burlington County Fairgrounds.
   ”We couldn’t of asked for a better day. It was a great ride,” Mr. Shinn said. “Without the help of the various fire police including Jacksonville, Delran and Willingboro and others throughout Burlington County who assisted us with this event, this event would not of been possible. I want to thank them for their time and efforts.”
   Once the parade made its way back to the fairgrounds, participants enjoyed a picnic.
   For the community, the Tractor Parade marked the opening of the Burlington County Farm Fair – which opened offically yesterday and continues through July 21.
   It is returning to the Burlington County Fairgrounds in Springfield for its second consecutive year.
   According to Mr. Shinn who is the president of the Burlington County Farm Fair, there will be various tractor pulls performed for the public. At 6:30 p.m. tonight and 10 a.m. July 21, the large tractors will be pulling. At 6 p.m. July 20, the garden size tractors will be pulling.
   There will also be an antique tractor parade during the Burlington County Farm Fair around the fairgrounds every day at 5 p.m. except for today, July 19, as the parade will take place an hour earlier, beginning 4 p.m.