07 Jun The next Great Trek is heading to Hartenbos with treasures from ‘Toeka tot Nou’
Mossel Bay, Garden Route (June 2023) –The Southern Cape Veteran Tractor Club is proud to host the Western Cape Veteran Tractor and Engine Club Show, themed ‘Van Toeka tot Nou’, on August 4 and 5 in Hartenbos.
This unique collective of those enamoured with mechanical workhorses of yore will spend their weekend poring over lovingly-preserved tractors, displayed alongside a handful of modern models.
Hart & Bosch Village will be the spectacular venue where a fleet of these special machines, as well as other interesting farming equipment, will be exhibited on the first Saturday in August.
And don’t be mistaken that this affair will be static in nature: not only will visitors to the show be treated to exhibitions of tractors and stationary engines used by our farming forefathers, but also in the pipeline is a parade of 10+ veteran tractors that will drive from Hart & Bosch Village to Midbrak and back on Friday August 4.
The slow-cruising fleet is sure to bring smiles to motorists travelling along the Kusweg thoroughfare, and will be a beachfront sight with a difference when parked at Klein Brak River before returning to the Village for the rest of the weekend’s festivities.
Actually, participants from the Southern and Western Cape clubs will get a headstart with a teambuilding experience, AGM and exhibition preparations on the days preceding the show, no doubt exchanging tractor tales and catching up with friends last seen at the previous indaba of this specialised fraternity.
Making it all happen in the heart of the Southern Cape is Kobus Kuyler, a proud member of the Western Cape Veteran Tractor and Engine Club for the past 15 years. On being asked ‘why Hartenbos?’, he is quick to come up with several good reasons, and swiftly.
“The venue is just perfect and we have an efficient team in place to ensure the show is a roaring success. We have forged firm relationships with the people in charge at Hart & Bosch, and have enjoyed support from all corners of the Iconic Mossel Bay district.”
Kobus adds that continued interest from the local community – and especially retired farmers from all along the Garden Route – makes the unique Hartenbos environment a perfect central point for the Western Cape Veteran Tractor and Engine Club Show.
When asked about interest, albeit more than two months ahead of the event, Kobus says feedback received from Western Cape clubs is that “commitments are growing strongly”.
An enthusiastic exhibitor, he says what excites him most about the forthcoming show’s many attractions is the fact that visitors will be exposed to the fantastic combination of models on display, “from antique to latter day!”
A nutshell version of the line-up on Saturday August 5 as follows: The official opening will be 8am. By 9am, stationary implements with engines are started up on site, with a small heritage exhibition tent open to visitors.
At 10am, tractors gather in the Hart & Bosch Village arena preceding a procession and introduction of all participating machines, in categories that span the decades down to the 1940s and older.
After winners in each class have been presented with their trophies, Western Cape VT&E Club chairman Johannes Uys will take up the mic, with Southern Cape VT&E chair Kobus Halliday having the last word.
Entertainment for kids and lots to eat are also on offer, and the day will conclude with a dance at Salt & Copper from 6pm. Contact Kobus Kuyler on kkuyler@pnp.co.za or 082 334 5665 for additional information.
Press release on behalf of Suidkaap Veteraan Trekkerklub:
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mimi finestone | mimi@gojipr.net | +27 84 583 3144