According to the official event announcement published by Yankton Thrive, the Tri State Old Iron Association will host its 20th Annual 2 Day Tractor Ride from July 9 through July 11, bringing together vintage tractor enthusiasts from across the Midwest.
165 Vintage Tractors Expected
The Tri State Old Iron Association (TSOIA) is marking a major milestone this summer with the 20th Annual 2 Day Tractor Ride, an event that has become one of the region’s best known celebrations of agricultural heritage. Scheduled for July 9 through July 11, 2026, the ride will attract approximately 165 vintage tractors representing nine different U.S. states.
Participants will gather at Yankton Thrive in Yankton, South Dakota, before setting out on two full days of scenic road travel that crosses state lines and showcases both rural landscapes and historic farming communities.
Unlike competitive tractor events, the annual ride focuses on preserving agricultural history while creating opportunities for owners, collectors, families, and local communities to connect through a shared appreciation of classic farm machinery.
130 Miles Across Two States
The event officially begins with staging activities in Yankton before tractors depart at 8:00 a.m. on Friday for a 65 mile route through northeastern Nebraska.
Drivers will stop for refreshments at CJ’s at the Lake before continuing to the Lutheran Church in Lindy, Nebraska, for lunch. The afternoon route includes another community stop in Constance before participants return to Yankton.
One of the highlights of the weekend comes Friday evening when the entire convoy will parade through downtown Yankton beginning at 6:00 p.m. After the parade, the tractors will be displayed along Levee Street near Riverside Park, allowing visitors to walk among dozens of carefully restored machines representing decades of agricultural engineering.
Saturday features another 65 mile journey, this time through southeastern South Dakota. Planned stops include the Broom Tree Retreat Center near Irene, Martinus Church in Utica for lunch, and Kellen & Streit near Yankton before riders complete the event.
Throughout both days, members of the public are encouraged to visit designated stops and experience the collection up close.
More Than A Tractor Ride
While the route itself is impressive, the event’s greatest value lies in preserving agricultural history through active participation rather than static museum displays.
Seeing hundreds of vintage tractors operating exactly as they were designed creates a far richer experience than simply viewing restored machines indoors. Events like this also help preserve practical mechanical knowledge while introducing younger generations to equipment that shaped American agriculture throughout the twentieth century.
The continued growth of the Tri State Old Iron Association’s annual ride demonstrates that classic agricultural machinery remains deeply connected to rural communities and continues to attract enthusiasts decades after many of these tractors left commercial service.
About Tri State Old Iron Association
The Tri State Old Iron Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic agricultural equipment and promoting rural heritage throughout the Upper Midwest. The association’s annual tractor ride has now reached its 20th edition and regularly attracts approximately 165 vintage tractors from nine U.S. states, making it one of the largest multi day vintage tractor rides in the region. Through public displays, community events, and organized road tours, TSOIA helps preserve agricultural history while supporting local communities across South Dakota, Nebraska, and neighboring states.
Event At A Glance
- Event: 20th Annual Tri State Old Iron Association Tractor Ride.
- Dates: July 9 to July 11, 2026.
- Location: Yankton, South Dakota, with routes through Nebraska and South Dakota.
- Distance: Approximately 130 miles over two riding days.
- Participants: About 165 vintage tractors from nine states.
- Admission: Free for visitors.
