By Melissa Burnor
To show their appreciation for the support they received from the community through the years for their annual Plow Day event, the Thompson brothers, Alan “Sammy” and Ron, will top it off with the Thompson’s Plow Day Appreciation Parade Saturday afternoon, Aug. 10.
After deciding not to have another Plow Day, that really had evolved into a weekend event showcasing plowing and farming techniques of days gone by, the brothers both said they wanted a way to say thank you to all of their supporters the last eight years. One of the things their father, the late Willis Thompson, had envisioned was a tractor parade.
This year there will be a parade that starts at the Blissfield High School at 3 p.m. and will wind down Beamer Road to Thompson Highway approximately five and three-quarter miles to Sammy Thompson’s farm between Ridgeville and Mulberry roads. Thompson said the parade should arrive at his home between 4 and 4:30 p.m. And that is where the fun begins. There will be a potluck dinner. Sammy Thompson will have a roasted pig and some benches and picnic tables set up in his barn. All he asks is for those who are coming to bring a dish to pass and possibly a lawn chair or two. The Thompson’s plan to have DJ Chris Aaron from Hudson providing music for the event and there will be a moonwalk and other activities for younger children.
Sammy Thompson said they will have the Hospice of Lenawee Wishing Well for people to make donations. The Lenawee County FFA Alumni will also sell raffle tickets to support their scholarship activities. The winner will win a Ford Tractor. Line-up for the parade begins at 1:30 p.m. behind the Blissfield High School, 630 S. Lane Street.