The tractor pull was a big draw for this year’s Stockton Antique Equipment Show. Photo by Jordan Patterson

STOCKTON — Tractor engines roared as the final day of the 43rd Annual Stockton Antique Equipment Show was in full effect.

One might think they stepped into a different time period upon first entering the grounds, with an old-fashioned gas station and old wood buildings welcoming visitors in the front, looking like they were taken right out of the 1950s.

The festival-type event ran from Friday through Sunday and featured a multitude of activities. The tractor pull is undoubtedly the most popular event.

Membership Chairman of the Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Association Sally Bulger hoped that the educational background of the event was more popular, but admitted that the tractor pull was most likely the highest attended.

While speaking at the registration booth, various people were coming through to register or renew with the association.

“It’s a little down on tractors,” Bulger said of the antique show’s attendance. “But a lot up on visitors.”

Bulger estimated that membership was somewhere around 650 to 700 registered members. Standing next to Bulger was Jenn Mikula, the newest secretary. Mikula, while impressed with the number of members, admitted they could use more.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers and more help,” she said.

Bulger and Mikula guessed that because of everything else that the show features, the number of people participating in the tractor pull decreased.

President Ray Bulger, the husband of Sally Bulger, said that he got involved simply because he had a couple of old tractors. While he was really busy riding around tending to the last day of the antique show, he admitted that this year was about average for attendance.

Ray Bulger has been president of the Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Association for seven years.

The Stockton Antique Equipment Show was patterned with a variety of buildings dedicated to certain antique equipment. Some of these places included the machine ship, the blacksmith, the old-fashioned gas station/garage and the print shop. The print shop featured various printing presses. There is also a museum that features a majority of old-fashioned antiques that would be found inside a home.

The antique show also featured an auction on Saturday, a church service and even a parade on Sunday.

Next year, the 44th Annual Stockton Antique Equipment Show will be held Aug. 17-19.