Below are notes from the rep meeting on May 16, 2026. Please review and contact me at tractorcrossing.com or text me at 248-222-9123.

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Discussion

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Speed Limit Enforcement

• Gaps have been discussed at every rep meeting. This year, a 10 mph speed limit will be strictly enforced. Reps will contact participants on their list marked 10mph and confirm that they can maintain 10mph throughout the entire parade. Reps need to police their own clubs. Options for tractors that cannot maintain 10mph: participate at the back of the parade or cancel registration. Once a rep speaks to the participant and confirms the speed limit, go to the roster and put notes in the "Rep Notes" tab.

• If a tractor is allowed in a club that does not go 10 mph, that tractor may be pulled out and moved to the back of the parade.

• Club reps will lead their club and set the pace of 10mph. If there are slow tractors in a club, those tractors will need to be at the front of the club. 

• Club Reps will remind tractors that can go faster to maintain 10 mph and not to slow down and then speed up, creating a gap, especially on the Bridge.

• Reps will provide speed information to members at meetings, newsletters, or emails. 

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Roster Changes

• Rosters are not automated for the most part. Registrations will automatically be added to a club.

• Rebecca will review and check off column B when the participant information has been reviewed and is all set on our end,

• If there is a yellow highlight, scroll over to "Seat Issue" for notes.

• Column A is for club reps to mark if the participant is a member of their club (optional).

• Phone numbers have been added for participants.

• "Rep Notes" tab is for reps to ask questions or answer questions for us. We will review and respond. This keeps the number of emails down and also keeps a record for both the rep and us.

• If you have issues accessing your roster, please text Rebecca at 248-222-9123.

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General Information and Schedule

• Reviewed event rules

• Clarified that a tow strap and not a chain are to be on every tractor. Rules will be updated to correct next week.

• Fire extinguishers are required at least every 10 tractors in a club

• No one under the age of 18 is allowed to drive on the Bridge for any reason. Participants in violation may be banned from future Crossings.

• 2025 Recap

  • 1089 tractors crossed the Bridge​

  • Doug Ash and John Powell were Grand Marshalls

  • Recognition to all volunteers

  • First year of kids' pedal games - Dedicated in memory of Roxanne Baumgras

  • Donations for the Alzheimer's Foundation and the St. Ignace food bank were collected.

  • Participants donated toy tractors for the little boy who lines them up in St. Ignace by the Marina. They were given to him on Saturday afternoon.

• 2026 Information

  • Grand Marshalls: Deb Matthew and Jim Farley. They will lead the parade.

  • New registration forms, asking more questions to make sure people have read the rules and agree​

  • New apparel company this year. Full color t-shirt offered for the first time. This company ships within 1-2 weeks of ordering, rather than waiting until August to mail them all, as previous companies.

  • Focus is on maintaining parade flow

  • The staging area will have two-way traffic, as in 2025. Because of two-way traffic, the volunteers who meet drivers may move down towards the unloading area.

  • Walkway will be blocked off in front of each club. Club tents and tractors need to be behind the club sign/number.

  • Two participants from England and Scotland will participate this year

  • Parade Order - Click Here

• Parking/Unloading

  • Tractors may arrive Wednesday - Friday (24/7). During the day, a volunteer will meet participants at their vehicles, providing them a map and an event book. If a tractor arrives in the early morning or late at night, a volunteer may not be there. The tractor should park in their club, or at the fence line if they are unsure. They can visit the information tent during the day to pick up their map and event book.​

  • The unloading area is the same place in the staging area. There is no parking for any reason. That area is strictly for unloading. Vehicles can then park at the back of the staging area in the designated parking.

  • Tractor and trailer parking is available at the staging area, Little Bear Arena (way north of the ball fields in the gravel), and the designated area near the airport (follow signs). 

  • People movers will be on-site, from the parking to the front.

• Club Rep Information

  • Rebecca is sending text messages this year vs. emails, as Gmail was kicking back many of them and marking them spam.

  • If your club has a show, send Rebecca a flyer via email at tractorcrossing.com. We will add to our Facebook and Website.

  • Club reps need to be on-site Saturday morning, no later than 7:00. Reps will pass out entry magnets to their members. Entry magnets cannot be passed out to participants before Saturday morning.

  • Packets may be picked up by the rep on Thursday, 10:00 - 4:00, Friday, 10:00-4:00, or Saturday morning, 6:30-7:00 am. Only the designated club rep will be able to pick up packets. We will verify who that is in August. Packets will include entry magnets and a copy of the roster.

  • Reps will check off names and verify they are providing entry magnets only to those registered.

  • If you do not have a rep hat from previous years, text Rebecca at 248-222-9123 with your name and club to reserve one.​

• Buddy Riders/Seats

  • New buddy seat pre-approvals are due by June 15. They will receive an email with an approval, modifications needed or a denial.​

  • August 1 is the deadline to make any changes.

  • Any buddy rider next to the driver must be 16+

  • A buddy rider ages 13-15 needs to be on a bench seat behind the driver with an adult who is a member of the club.

  • Clubs determine if they allow buddy riders and at what ages.

• Event Schedule

  • Wed - Fri: Participants arrive at the staging area​

  • Food Truck: All day Thursday and Friday. Sat morning.

  • Saturday Morning (Staging Area)

    • Reps pass out entry magnets by 7:30

    • 8:00 - All tractors shut down for opening ceremony (especially those near the firetruck)

    • Once the fire truck arrives, all participants should gather around

    • Opening Ceremony: Flag Raising, National Anthem, Opening Words, Last Reminders

  • Saturday Afternoon 

    • Tractor Games (Bleachers or bring a lawn chair) ​

    • Kid's Pedal Games

    • Annual Tug of War

    • Food Trucks 

    • Ice Cream/Cake Social (Inside) 5:30 - 6:00 ($4) - 4 and under free. Includes bottled water. Served until gone.

    • Euchre Tournament: 6:00 - 7:30 (approx.) - Free to play - Winners get a 2027 free pass.

    • Bingo 6:00-7:30 (approx.). Free to play, all ages welcome. Win prizes, raffle tickets, and limited edition t-shirts

  • Sunday 

    • Inside: Raffle ticket sales 9:30 - 10:00.

    • Raffle Drawing/Closing Ceremony: 10:30 - 11:45​

    • Downtown St. Ignace Tractor Parade 12:00 - 1:30 (approx.). 

• Participant Information​

  • A volunteer will meet you at your vehicle when you pull in​

  • Information Tent - Questions, official apparel, merchandise, bus passes

  • Truck/Trailer parking is available at the staging area and Little Bear Arena (north of ball fields in gravel). If you are leaving right after Crossing, there is loading/unloading available near the airport (optional) (follow the signs). 

  • Buses will run Saturday morning from Little Bear Arena to Staging Area 5:00-7:00 am. A bus pass is required ($5).

  • Buses will run afterward from Little Bear Arena to the Staging Area (to get your vehicle). 11:00-2:00 (approx.?) Bus pass required ($5).

  • Participants should arrive no later than 7:30 am on Saturday

  • There is no stopping/parking in the staging area driveway for any reason, Wednesday - Saturday. Vehicles may be towed.

  • Visitor Parking at Little Bear Arena - Available at the lot across the street or downtown. Do not park at Little Bear Arena with your personal vehicle or in any area marked off. Violators will be towed at their expense. 

  • Shut down all tractors at 8:00 for the opening ceremony

  • You are allowed to leave your truck and trailer after the weekend if you are sightseeing or vacationing for a few days.

  • Security will be on-site Wednesday - Saturday evening.

  • Entry Magnets

    • If the entry magnet won't stick the morning of the event, just hold it up to the Bridge Authority when you get onto the Bridge​

    • Do not leave your entry magnet on your tractor at Little Bear Arena. We cannot replace stolen magnets.