Tractors used as teaching tools at Huntley Fall Fest

Brendan and Colin Campbell squealed with delight as they sat behind the wheel of a huge John Deere tractor Saturday afternoon at the Huntley Fall Fest.

The little boys, 5 and 2 years old respectively, traveled from Crystal Lake with their parents Danielle and Sean to get out of the house and learn a bit about Huntley's agricultural history.

The festival's tractor show featured 15 tractors - the oldest was 48 years old and the youngest was built earlier this year.

The Campbells decided to use the tractors as teaching tools for their boys.

"I think it's really good for them to know where the food comes from and all the hard work that goes into it," said Danielle Campbell, whose family owns corn, soybean and cattle farms in Illinois and Iowa. "And they can get outside and play around on a tractor for $2. I say, 'Why not?'"

Jerry Nepermann, vice president of the Huntley Park District, runs the tractor show.

He said it's important to educate children about Huntley's farming history, which is part of the tractor show's purpose.

"It's just to show off and let the kids see them, because a lot of kids have never seen them," said Nepermann, who grew up on a Huntley dairy farm.

The Huntley Fall Fest continues Sunday, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Deicke Park, 12015 Mill Street.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 per child.

All of the money raised goes to the Huntley Park Foundation, which covers projects within the park district.

For more information, visit www.huntleyfallfest.org.