LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Before the hard work of another growing season starts, farmers and many interested in farming will converge on the Kentucky Exposition Center for the annual National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull.<br>

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson said, “The farm machinery show is a major event for Louisville and Kentucky, bringing thousands of people from across the country to our community. We’re always proud to showcase our city and host the annual display of the latest in agricultural equipment and services.”<br>

This year marks the 43rd edition of the show and the 40th for the tractor pull. Last year, more than 302,000 people made their way to the event, with the same expected for 2008, according to Amanda Storment, vice president for media and public relations for the Kentucky State Fair Board.<br>

“We expect more than 300,000 people to attend the show this year,” she said.<br>

Along with those people comes a tremendous impact on the local economy, to the tune of $21.5 million, she added. She said the show is one of three that is owned by the Fair Board, and recent renovations to the Center’s North Wing will provide more space for the event.<br>

The space will come in handy, as the show will host more than 800 agricultural displays in eight interconnected exhibit halls occupying more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space. Everything from heavy equipment to computer software will be available for attendees.<br>

Hands-on demonstrations and free seminars will be available, as well.<br>

The tractor pull is the oldest indoor event of its kind in the country and is invitation-only, with the nation’s best drivers and their machines, including Pro Stocks, Super Stocks, Modified and Alcohol tractors, as well as Two-Wheel- and Four-Wheel-Drive trucks.
The drivers compete in four evening performances and an additional pull on Saturday afternoon, for the chance to bring home a share of more than $200,000 in prize money.<br>

Also on hand will be Sam McNeill and Doug Overhults and their colleagues from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, to share some of the latest advances and work being done at UK.<br>

McNeill suggests unless a person has a couple of days to spend at the show, it’s a good idea to plan specific activities to make the most of the time there. Otherwise, they may get caught up in the fresh paint, bright lights and flashy gadgets.<br>

Overhults, a UK agricultural engineer, said when planning a trip to any equipment show, farmers should study their current costs and production records or take an inventory of the items needed in their operation that will improve production or labor utilization.
Establishing priorities is the best way to avoid purchasing something that is not really needed. A little prior planning will save time and help identify vendors to visit.<br>

The show will be held Feb. 13-16 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Eastern Standard Time, with free admission and a $5 parking fee. Tickets for the tractor pull are sold at the expo center ticket office and all Ticketmaster outlets.