THE TRACTORS: Farm tractors rolled across the Mackinac Bridge for the first time in its 51-year history Friday, September 12. For about 2.5 hours, 627 tractors, traveling approximately 10 miles per hour, made the passage from Mackinaw City north to St. Ignace. The antique equipment shared the bridge with cars and trucks as they proceeded across the structure in the far eastbound lane. The nation's farming heritage met the Mackinac Bridge Friday, September 12, as possibly the country's longest antique tractor parade, with 627 units, crossed the state landmark for the first time. A few hours later, about 100 customized tractor-trailers and other trucks roared into St. Ignace, putting into motion weekend events that were free to the public.

The city's main thoroughfare became a parking lot Saturday for the panel, tanker, semi, and antique trucks that also filled the grounds at Little Bear East Arena. State Street traffic was detoured through St. Ignace along side streets.

The tractors were set up for public display at Kewadin Shores Casino on Mackinac Trail.

THE TRUCKS: Ed Reavie of Nostalgia Productions in St. Ignace worked with the National Association of Show Trucks to put together this year's St. Ignace truck show events. Truck enthusiasts began strolling the grounds at Little Bear East Arena Friday evening, September 12, and the curious arrived early Saturday, September 13, to peer into the trucks they see working daily on Michigan highways. Visitors and residents biked, walked, used golf carts, and parked vehicles in any available spot for a chance to meander between rows of red and green tractors and highly polished semis at the two sites during the weekend.

By Saturday afternoon, the show trucks and antique tractors were covered with beads of water as rainfall moved into the Straits. The wet weather also drove spectators indoors in the afternoon, although the Parade of Lights Saturday night continued as planned, with the semis taking their turn parading across the bridge in the dark.

The community showed its support for the trucks by trading lawn chairs for umbrellas, vehicles, and open-air tents to watch the parade. Cars lined State Street, filling parking lots from the county airport to the ferry docks, with others making their own space in empty fields, all seeking a view of the custom lights of the big trucks.

Led by the Michigan State Police from the St. Ignace Post, the antique tractors reached the Mackinac Bridge toll plaza about 1 p.m. Friday, September 12. Gary Pollock (waving) of Howell, a retired crash test engineer with General Motors, drove the first tractor across the bridge, a red 1940 Farmall H. He was followed by former Mackinac Bridge ironworker Ed Socolovitch of Cheboygan, who served as Grand Marshal of the parade. He drove a rare 1951 Farmall MD prototype tractor. Only four of the machines were ever made. Antique Tractor Parade

"I'd do it again, I'd do it tomorrow," said Ed Socolovitch of Cheboygan, Grand Marshal of the antique tractor parade.

Mr. Socolovitch, a retired ironworker, had helped build the Mackinac Bridge. When the center span was completed on the bridge in 1957, he was working on the north tower and at the end of the day, Mr. Socolovitch was the second person to cross the bridge and walk home, he recalled.

Brian Hitchcock of Webberville, owner of MBH Trucking, drove away with six awards during Sunday afternoon ceremonies at the St. Ignace truck show. Mr. Hitchcock displayed his rebuilt 1996 Peterbilt that offered a slick look with no door handles, unnecessary lights, or outside horns. Inside, gauges line the length of the dashboard followed by a row of unlabeled switches. He was chosen as the alternate for the qualifier for the Truck-lite nationals, and was chosen as the Judges Choice bobtail. His truck placed second in best of show working bobtail, second in the bobtail working intense custom division, third in customized interior, and third in customized engine. 'When they told me I was going to be Grand Marshal and second in the [tractor] parade," he said, "I said, 'Hey, that's two twos in a row.' So I was very happy."

He drove a 1951 Farmall MD prototype tractor with a Detroit diesel engine in the parade. Only four of the models were made. Another man, he said, has the other three, and now wants his.

About two years ago, Rick Hitchcock's 2005 Peterbilt was used by the stars of the cable television show "Trick My Truck." During the opening credits, the crew is shown riding in on the big rig. In St. Ignace Sunday, September 14, the truck took top prize for hood bobtail with sleeper, new to six years old, and it placed second in the paint without graphics or murals bobtail division. The rebuilt truck includes eight-inch straight pipes, and fenders. The cab was lowered six inches. Mr. Hitchcock rebuilt the truck with his brothers, Jordan and Ryan. Mr. Socolovitch is not selling.

"I just hope they ask us back again next year," said Dave Hunt of Big Rapids. "I've never seen so many smiles in one day as I did today."

Mr. Hunt is a member of the Greasy Fingers Two Cylinder Club, and he drove a 1950 Model A John Deere.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for us old boys to be the first to take a tractor across the Mackinac Bridge," he said.

Family and spectators lined Mackinaw City and St. Ignace streets, and are pictured here at the Mackinac Bridge toll plaza to cheer on and greet tractor parade participants. Those driving the vehicles said they appreciated the warm welcome displayed by both communities. Leonard Schreier of Pellston had four tractors in the parade. He drove a 1952 Model 40 John Deere.

Mr. Schreier was joined in the parade by his son, Lee, who traveled from Flint, and his daughter, Tammra Baker, who drove north from Detroit to participate in the parade. His neighbor, Norm Warner, drove the fourth tractor.

"I loved every minute of it," Mr. Schreier said. "I looked forward to it since February. I felt very honored to be a part of it. It's just something you'll remember for the rest of your life."

Mr. Schreier helped organizer Bob Baumgras with event preparations in Mackinaw City.

"I wish that it had been my idea," he said. "It's just a wonderful thing."

Mr. Schreier, like Mr. Socolovitch, said he would readily join the parade again.

"If they're going to run it tomorrow," he said, "I'll come back."

Above: Ron Pinckney, a driver for MC Van Kampen of Wyoming, Michigan, finished number one in two divisions at the Truck-lite Trophy Series put on by the National Association of Show Trucks during the Richard Crane Memorial Big Rig Truck Show in St. Ignace Friday, September 12, through Sunday, September 14. He took the top prize for the 1984 and newer company bobtail division, and the paint without graphics or murals bobtail division. He spent about six days getting his 2007 custom Peterbilt truck ready for the show. The white and orange exterior color scheme is repeated on the special flooring in the big rig. Mr. Baumgras got the idea for the event by looking at the Mackinac Bridge Web site.

"My intention was to see tractors cross the Mackinac Bridge," he said, following the parade. "That was my goal."

The parade turned into a family event, he said, even though only one person was allowed to ride on each tractor.

"What those families did was they came and watched and they took the pictures," he said. "They were on the Mackinaw [City] side, and then they drove their vehicles over to the St. Ignace side and watched. They watched the parade again. So I think in a way it did kind of work out."

Robert Martin crossed the Mackinac Bridge over the weekend in both the Friday tractor parade and Saturday truck Parade of Lights. He drove a Super MTA Diesel Farmall in the tractor parade. For the truck show, his vehicle was named the Mayor's Choice in the bobtail division; it also placed first in the painted mural bobtail division, and third in the company bobtail, 1984 or newer category. Murals on each panel around the 06 International CXT vehicle depict his company equipment in use. The truck is a working vehicle that pulls an excavator, loaders, and bulldozers. It is equipped with back-up cameras, a television, and stereo system. Operating on only 20 minutes of sleep, he was shaking hands and gathering comments from participants Friday evening.

By Sunday, September 14, he told The St. Ignace News, the City of St. Ignace and Kewadin Shores Casino already had invited the event to return, and he plans to talk with the Mackinac Bridge Authority and Mackinaw City about the idea in the next few days.

Dennis Mitchell and his son, Stephen, took top prize in the combination working and intense custom truck for their 1991 Peterbilt, named Spirit Chaser. The truck features murals with a Native American theme. The white buffalo is painted on the top of the hood, and the back of the animal is painted on the inside. The buffalo, said Mr. Mitchell, is a symbol of truth and honesty. The family also has a business that includes making custom shift sticks and other truck equipment. "It's looking good," he said of a potential return. He already has worked out solutions for a few problems he faced during the planning process.

He now realizes arranging the first tractor crossing was more work than he had anticipated. Improving communications between tractor clubs and participants would be his number one priority if the event moves forward.

A small business owner, he owns Owosso Tractor Parts. He credits Operations Manager Dean Steiner at the Mackinac Bridge for clearly communicating what would be required.

Standing above a field of antique tractors, parade organizer Bob Baumgras said all he ever wanted was to see a tractor cross the Mackinac Bridge. When he came up with the idea a year ago, he hoped that between one and 300 of the green and red farm machines would make the crossing - he got 627. The tractors were parked for public display at Kewadin Shores Casino in St. Ignace through the weekend. Still assessing the parade, Mr. Baumgras said he needs a few more days to talk with local officials before deciding to make the parade an annual event. "Dean Steiner is a man who is true to his word," said Mr. Baumgras. "If he tells you, it happens."

Betty Spangler of Ontario, Ohio, drove the last tractor in the parade. She and her husband, Jack, who also drove a tractor, traveled 500 miles to participate in the crossing. The couple had crossed the bridge years ago while on vacation.

Mrs. Spangler drove an Oliver 60 and Mr. Spangler drove a Case VAC.

The reverse opening doors on the 2001 Peterbilt truck owned by Pete Northrop of Sandusky drew spectator attention Saturday. The truck placed third in the hood bobtail with sleeper, six to 10 years old division. Named Peterod, the truck's interior, including the floor, is all stainless steel, as is the underside of the semi. The working truck is used to haul milk to Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania from Michigan seven days a week. Uncomfortable with shifting gears, at first Mrs. Spangler was unsure of making the passage over the bridge. Her concerns were quickly overcome, and she said everything went smoothly.

"I wish more people from our club could have come," said Mrs. Spangler. "I think they would have enjoyed it."

The event intrigued him, Mr. Spangler said, so he signed up for the parade.

"We're 77 years old," said Mr. Spangler. "We might not ever get to do this again. It's just fantastic when you go up that bridge. It just overwhelms you, the bridge, because we're not from here. We don't go over it daily."

Roger McCarthy of Blanchard drove a 1954 John Deere 70 said he was "smiling all the way across." He wished his grandson, Ryan, 8, could have joined him. Participants were required to be at least 18 years old. He hopes that in 10 years, if the event takes place again, when Ryan is old enough to participate in an antique tractor parade across the bridge, he will remember his grandfather was in the first one.

Richard Crane Memorial Big Rig Truck Show

Ed Reavie of Nostalgia Productions in St. Ignace said this year's truck show was among the best. Mr. Reavie is the organizer of the 13th annual truck show, which is part of the Truck-lite Trophy Series hosted by the National Association of Show Trucks. The trucks are judged and the top three are recognized in each category.

"This was one of our better shows," Mr. Reavie told The St. Ignace News Sunday. Ninety-seven trucks were registered in the show.

Bo Trout, president of the association, agreed. Trucks, drivers, and the visitors made for a successful show, he said.

"I think it was one of our best shows," he said. "The crowds were the best they've ever been."

Brian Hitchcock of Webberville has been a truck driver for 32 years, has driven more than two million miles, and now owns MBH Trucking, which has 20 employees. He has been coming to the St. Ignace show since 1997. His company has a fleet of 13 trucks, which primarily haul agriculture supplies to Ontario and Ohio.

Trucking, he said, is a hard profession, requiring days and weeks away from family and working around delivery schedules that are not your own.

His son, Rick, also drove a truck to the show and both father and son made deliveries on their way to St. Ignace. They plan to be back on the road working by Monday.

Mr. Hitchcock was showing a rebuilt 1996 Peterbilt. He put 750,000 miles on the truck, although he now spends most of his time in the office. His three sons, Rick, Jordan, and Ryan, rebuilt the truck giving it a lower, slick look, which included eliminating door handles, unnecessary lights, and outside horns.

Inside is a leather cab that includes a flat screen television, refrigerator, and sink. From the driver's seat, gauges can be seen lining the length of the dashboard, with a row of unlabeled switches.

About two years ago, one of trucks rebuilt by his sons was filmed on the cable television show "Trick My Truck." During the opening credits, the crew is shown riding in on the Hitchcock truck. The scene, said Rick Hitchcock, is on-air for about 20 seconds, yet it took the crew more than four hours to shoot it.

Rick Hitchcock, who drove the 2005 Peterbilt to St. Ignace, has been driving since 2001, when he turned 18. He likes being out on the road and seeing new things.

He and his brothers rebuilt the truck to include eight-inch straight pipes, fenders, and lowered the cab six inches. With the air ride, it lifts up during travel and he has had no problems driving in the winter.

The interior includes a wood floor and dyed leather interior to match the outside paint.

The trailer the Mitchell family has attached to their cab will head to Texas after the show to carry needed items for Hurricane Ike survivors. The trailer is part of an organization called Hope and Encouragement for Humanity, which helps people in need.

Trucking is a family occupation for the Mitchells, including Dennis Mitchell, his wife, Barb, and son, Stephen. In addition to hauling flatbed and oversize loads of items like jet engines, they own a custom truck and motorcycle business in Blissfield. For that business, Stephen does metal work for trucks, including accessories like custom shift sticks, which are very popular among truck drivers.

Truck shows like St. Ignace, said Mr. Mitchell, give them an opportunity to find out what drivers want.

Some drivers will pay thousands of dollars for the accessory.

"It's becoming a status symbol," said Stephen Mitchell of the stick.

"This is our vacation," Mr. Mitchell said. The family arrived in St. Ignace at 3 a.m. Thursday, and they will be back to work by Tuesday.

"We drive 700 miles just to drive the bridge," he said. In the last year, they have added 17 extra lights in preparation for the light parade.

Their 1991 Peterbilt truck, named Spirit Chaser, is just over 90 feet long with a trailer attached. The truck has traveled 1.2 million miles and Mr. Mitchell is the original owner. The murals have a Native American theme, including the white buffalo painted on the inside and top of the hood. The buffalo, he said, is a symbol of truth and honesty.

"You're not going to lie and cheat people," said Mr. Mitchell, looking at the buffalo, "because this will make you right."

His trucking lifestyle is similar to the early Native American one, said Mr. Mitchell, which is based on self reliance. In his early days of his driving career, the truck was his home. Then, truck stops and other conveniences were not as readily available as they are now.

This is the first year Pete Northrop of Sandusky is showing what he calls a conventional 2001 Peterbilt truck. A closer look at the cab reveals the big rig is not all that conventional. There are no door handles; entry is by remote control. The doors, which Mr. Northrop refers to as "edgy," also open backwards; hinges are on the right.

Named Peterod, the truck's interior including the floor, is all stainless steel, as is the underside of the semi. The $150,000 custom work was ordered by a friend, from whom he purchased the truck.

The 2001 truck has 1.2 million miles, mostly from hauling milk to Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania from Michigan seven days a week. He drives 700 miles a day.

Mr. Northrop, who has been a truck driver for 32 years, owns 10 other semis. His daughter and son both drive trucks, although they were working and could not attend the show.

Ron Pinckney drives a custom rebuilt truck for the trucking firm MC Van Kampen of Wyoming, Michigan.

The company has 120 trucks driven by solo and team drivers who mainly transport Steelcase office furniture to the south and to western states. They haul refrigerated goods, including produce, back to Michigan.

A 30-year truck driving veteran, Mr. Pinckney is a solo driver and now has a dedicated run, making two trips a week to Atlanta. He runs about 160,000 miles a year.

His 2007 Peterbilt had only 60,000 miles on it when it was purchased by the company, however, the truck was wrecked in a rollover accident. His boss, Marvin Van Kampen, rebuilds trucks as a hobby.

About $110,000 later, the truck now is a working show truck. Equipped with two stick shifts, the customized big rig has flooring that matches the outside color and graphics, full fenders, and lots of stainless steel. The truck also has an alternative power unit that eliminates the need to idle the engine when he is stopped overnight. The unit gives him full power to operate a television, microwave, refrigerator, and vacuum cleaner.

Since December, when the truck was rebuilt, Mr. Pinckney has driven about 135,000 miles.

This year was his first time participating in the Parade of Lights. He left St. Ignace at 5 a.m. Sunday to make a delivery to Atlanta Monday morning.

Truck Show judging results will be published in an upcoming issue of The St. Ignace News.