2018 Annual John Cannon Memorial Tractor Ride

2018 Heartland Acres Tractor Riders. All photos courtesy Heartland Acres Agribition Center.

Heartland Acres Agribition Center in Independence, Iowa, completed the 2018 Annual John Cannon Memorial Tractor Ride on Saturday, June 9, 2018.

Due to heavy rain and lightning at the start of the annual tractor ride it was cut short after making an initial visit to Prairie Hills Assisted Living. The ride was about 20 minutes in length this year and after experiencing poor visibility due to the rain the tractors returned to Heartland Acres. That is not the end of the story. Making lemon aid out of lemons is what comes next and what John Cannon often did when things didn’t go as planned.

After discussion with our riders and looking at the radar showing other potential storms throughout the day, it was decided to cancel the ride for safety. What came next was a string of events and generosity on behalf of the participants and those supporting the Heartland Acres Tractor ride. First, all of the riders said to keep their entry feed and use it for the museum or even apply it to next year’s ride. Heartland Acres is happy to do this. Next, Heartland made calls to the assisted living homes we were to visit and let them know we wouldn’t make it this year. They understood and thanked us for thinking of them and to please keep them on the list for a visit next time. Next we called local law enforcement to let them know our ride was cancelled and the dispatcher was very kind and understanding and thanked us for letting them know. Another call was to McElroy’s Catering in Winthrop. They were to deliver the lunch to the Back Bone State Park. They understood and appreciated our attention to rider safety as well as that of others on the road.