Old tractors stir memories, ice cream
Abigail Sherman
The Red Oak Express
Different types of tractors will be featured at the third annual Tractor Show in Red Oak Sunday, but the sweetest one will be the Gail Fisher family ice cream tractor.
Gail Fisher, of Villisca, built the ice cream tractor by attaching a family antique White Mountain freezer onto a bracket that is part of a tractor that Fisher pulled from a salvage yard.
“We cranked it by hand for family reunions for many years,” Jerry Fisher, son of Gail Fisher, said about their ice cream. “It’s old, a 30-to-40-year-old ice cream freezer. He [Gail] found a tractor in a salvage yard, got it running and restored it.”
After restoring the tractor and eventually inheriting the ice cream freezer, Gail created the ice cream tractor.
“We took it to the state fair. We started for family reunions and it’s grown since then through word of mouth,” Gail said.
Jerry added, “We’ve done it for a RAGBRAI fundraiser for the junior class, several years at the farmers market in Red Oak, Villisca Heritage Days, and we even have a wedding in October.”
The tradition of homemade ice cream has lasted through their family for four generations, with Gail’s great-grandson being their, “Quality control specialist. He cleans the dasher.” Most importantly, they’re always making ice cream for friends and family, not with the goal of making a profit.
“He doesn’t do it for money, just for fun,” Jerry said when asked about their purpose for the tractor. Simply put, Gail said, “It’s just one of my toys.”
The Gail Fisher family is taking its tractor to the Sept. 17 tractor show and is handing out free ice cream for everyone who comes to the show.
The third annual tractor show in Montgomery County will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at Southwest Iowa Tire & Service, at the corner of Highways 34 and 48. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m.
Everyone is welcome at this event, to both participate by showing tractors and partake in the food and festivities. For those who want to enter tractors, there is no fee, and registration is the day of the show. Trailer parking is open for participants at Finish Line Trailers at 9 a.m. Door prizes will be available for the tractor participants. Different foods will be available at the event, including homemade ice cream. Those planning on participating are advised to take their own lawn chairs. Different types of refurbished tractors will be shown, including tractors that have been within families in Montgomery County for five generations.
For more information, call Bob Wingert at 712-621-5444.