ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Sheraton Hotel was the site of the 44th year of the Gateway Mid-America Toy Show. The Baker family and the Gateway Farm Toy Club welcomed exhibitors and collectors to this annual show. The show took place over Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 150 plus dealers to choose from.

This year there was the usual room trading along with the rooms that were open for viewing. Farm toy collectors gathered at this popular farm toy show looking for the latest and greatest finds. One unusual toy at the show was Michael Sharp’s Adams Leaning Wheel Road grader. What made it special was that it was a salesman’s sample. The Adams Co. was founded in 1885 in Indianapolis, and they created the sample for prospective buyers to view.

A new farm toy was available this year from Lone Tree Creek. Lee Friesen shared this model created by his son Seth, a mechanical engineer, was modeled from a Minneapolis Moline NTX through 3D printing. Lovers of the Prairie Gold MM brand will be excited to see this rare model addition.

Each year at the show there is a consignment auction. Dennis Aumann was the auctioneer. With most auctions going online, it is a treat for collectors to be able to attend a live auction. This year, it was an all-day sale with around 1,000 items. The big seller of the day was the Minneapolis Moline pedal tractor based on the UDLX. Brent Adkins, of the Aumann staff, shared that the pedal tractor was made by Turner Welding. The pedal was # 4 of 11, with working lights, and an opening hood that showed the engine. It sold around $5200.

The Facebook group Still Plays With Tractors had a huge presence at the show. This year was their third Meet & Greet and the members in attendance were over 100 strong. Daniel Wieland from Bunceton, Mo., is behind the 20,000-plus members of the popular Facebook page that hel created ten years ago. Wieland wanted to create a space where members could share their hobby, and it is an informational page that farm toy collectors are drawn to. Members often post according to the theme of the week, which Wieland selects every Sunday.  The themes reflect the seasons, and holidays. “We want to make collectors feel special. Then every Wednesday, I update the cover photo,” Wieland said. “Many collectors put stuff together with a toy creating a time capsule picture.”

As for the Still Playing With Tractors page, he said, “It is changing the dynamics of the toy show with many toys already sold before the show. It is very important to have social interaction between members.”

One of the big draws of the Gateway Mid-America Toy Show is the model and display contest. This year the contest brought competitors from 10 states, and Canada, and youth of the farm toy hobby dominated with several first-time attendees This is great news for the hobby that depends on the younger generation for the show to continue. One fun aspect of the farm model contest is the Ugly Toy contest, and this year there was just one entry from the iconic Rita Tolka, who loves this aspect of the show and enters most years.

Cathy Schiebe, from Toy Farmer magazine that sponsors the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa, the first weekend in November, was on hand meeting and greeting collectors. Jason Hastert from Toy Tractor Times also attended, recording some of the farm layout contestants. Some of the contestants mentioned that it was Toy Tractor Times YouTube videos that encouraged them to compete in the contest.

This year it was clear through those comments and the popularity of the Still Playing With Tractors Facebook page that social media plays a huge part in the farm toy collector hobby. While social media is key, the face-to-face interaction is what brings people back year after year to farm toy shows like this one in St. Louis.