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W
e e k l y F
e a t u r e P a g e
Links to archived past pages on lower left
The contents of the “Weekly Feature” page are provided
to you for your entertainment, amusement, and perhaps information.
Here you may find articles of interest, pictures, historical information
on the Club, or whatever shuffles to the top of the pile on our
desk. The only defined characteristic of this space is that we
will make every effort to change/replace it around the middle of
each week. Thank you for visiting, and please stop by again. Click
on any photo to see it larger in a separate window. |
The MMOGTA Campground Experience
One of the outstanding features of being a member of the Mid Michigan
Old Gas Tractor Ass’n, is that you have the opportunity to stake out your own
claim in our widespread camping area. In years gone by, as our Showgrounds
property expanded, many members began to drag their campers along with them
when the great migration to Oakley began around showtime. Since our membership
is scattered all around the State, it was just a matter of convenience for
all those dedicated members who often begin their work day at or before 7:00AM
during the show. As the property began to be developed, it was decided to allow
members to select, clear, and improve their own campsites, and as long as they
maintained the area, it was theirs. The whole project soon took on a life of
it’s own as folks began to realize the value of this opportunity. Many
had already sort of claimed squatters rights on their given plot, but now they
knew it was theirs to keep. Nothing motivates a person like the pride of ownership.
Trees began to fall, roadways were developed, even grass and flowers began
to appear here and there, along with nameplates telling the world who the proud
residents were. In recent years some members have begun to set up cottage-style
encampments that remain throughout the fair weather season, giving them a low
rent weekend getaway destination and a place to stay whenever club events take
place. During a marathon tractor pull, it’s nice to have a second home
within walking distance, where you can take a break from the noise.
While the shaded woods area may be a quiet escape on a mid-summer
night, during the show the campgrounds becomes a city unto itself,
with as many
as 500 registered
camper units typically joining us for all the fun. During that week, the
camping areas become a regular beehive of activity, with campfires,
cookouts, and here
and there a party has been known to break out. Nothing fosters social activity
like having a group of like-minded people gathered with a common purpose
in a pleasant “away from home” atmosphere.
The fact that the campers are located in at least 3 different areas,
with a lot of it being under canopied forest, makes it difficult to
get a single
photo
representation,
so we just gathered a few different shots to illustrate one of our greatest
assets, the MMOGTA Campgrounds. Didn’t have a lot of material so included are shots
from before during and after shows. (Click individual photos to enlarge.)
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