By: Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County TimesGrayson’s Old Time Farm Machinery & Antique Association has canceled their 39th annual Farm Machinery Show, originally scheduled for September 11 and 12 of this year, due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The show is always the second weekend in September,” explained association spokesperson Judy Campbell Lewis. “(But) we want to keep our town, community and all the public safe from this pandemic. So, by not having it this year, all of us club members feel this is the safest way we can help keep it from spreading anymore than it already has in this area.”
While the event is outdoors, and the organizers could have mandated masks and encouraged people to maintain a distance of six feet, the association members didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks.
Lewis said the group felt it was the most responsible move they could make, especially since many participants travel from other states to take part in the event.
“We knew that other states would be involved (if we went forward),” she said. If those states had higher COVID-19 numbers, the association didn’t want to risk them bringing the virus into Carter County, or taking it home from Carter County if they encountered someone with the virus here.
The organization hasn’t been holding their regular meetings either, in order to keep their members safe.
“It’s too dangerous for our members to mix together too,” Lewis said.
As far as she is aware, this is the first time in 39 years that the organization has canceled the Farm Machinery Show.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
