Red, green, muscle, antique and more are just some of the tractors that take up a large footprint of the Got to Be NC Festival – drawing attention and admiration of festival goers that specifically come to the event to see the large display, and those that are drawn in during their visit. Each day the tractors and their owners lineup for the tractor parade – a signature event of the festival.
This year, festival organizers named one tractor best of show and that honor was given to David Ferrell of Apex and his 1975 6030 John Deere tractor. Agri Supply sponsored this year’s competition.
The tractor was chosen by a committee of three judges. The judges were tractor enthusiast that did not have a tractor at the festival nor belonged to any of the tractor clubs exhibiting. “The judges were drawn to Ferrell’s tractor because it is restored to perfection,” said Pat Short, event organizer. “Everything on it is perfect. This particular tractor was only made from 1972 to 1977 and at that time is was the largest most powerful tractor on the market.
Ferrell purchased the tractor already restored from Illinois about two years ago. “I always liked the 70 and 80 model muscle tractors,” he said. “I think these will be among the most highly sought after with tractor collectors.
He has been collecting since he was a teenager, it’s his hobby and an investment. Ferrell’s first tractor was a 1952 John Deere A, which he purchased at age 14. While the 1975 John Deere stole the show at the festival, it is not actually Ferrell’s favorite. A John Deere 4250 Power Shift Open Station, the first of only 18 built, holds that honor. Ferrell purchased this tractor from Northern Maine.
Ferrell and his wife Beth own D+B Farms in Western Wake County where they raise beef cattle. He also does site work and commercial site development. “Farming is what I love to do,” he said, “but urban sprawl has made it tougher to farm.”
He is a member of the International Harvester Collectors Chapter 37 of Eastern North Carolina and the Classic Green National Club out of Iowa. He is a longtime participant in the Got to Be NC Festival. “My favorite thing about the festival is the people. It’s seeing friends. It is a reunion.”
Congratulations David on your Best of Show win!
