More than 1,000 tractors/drivers participated in the parade. A representative from Guinness certified that 964 classic tractors met all of the requirements and drove continuously around the track for a minimum of two miles. 

The previous record was 745 held by Elbach, Germany.

With additional storm clouds gathering above Grand Island, Nebraska, the rescheduling of the parade was put to a voice vote at an 11 a.m. driver meeting. When every driver threw a hand in the air and shouted, “Today!” it was unanimously decided that the parade was to continue as scheduled.

“The perseverance by our staff and these tractor enthusiasts through the mud was a sight to behold in itself, as they were not going to be denied the chance to break the Guinness record," said Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of Rural Media Group, Inc.

"Seeing over 1,000 classic tractors moving at one time was a real crowd pleaser.”

A capacity grandstand was filled with over 10,000 viewers who witnessed this unprecedented display of machinery of the past. 

At least 31 states were represented, with 730 entries coming from Nebraska and the rest traveling great distances, including entries from as far away as New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Michigan and Arizona. FG

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—From RFD-TV/RURAL TV news release

PHOTO
Photo courtesy of RFD-TV/RURAL TV.