By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@TheCitizenNews.com

Four years ago, the residents of Inman, the small farm community south of Fayetteville, thought Rick Minter's idea to host an antique tractor and engine show on his ancestral land was pie-in-the-sky.

Who would come to look at pieces of farm machinery and revel in the history of tiny Inman?

About 12,000 tractor buffs, men and women longing for a taste of the good old days, and boys and girls who have never seen a real gristmill or blacksmith, that's who.

Since Minter, his wife Joanne and daughter Stephanie put the wheels in motion and pulled the community into their plans for "Inman Farm Heritage Days," the event has grown in size and appeal.

Starting this Friday, the event opens for its fourth annual run, with new attractions and old favorites. The show runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until dark. Admission is free and the friendly ambience is priceless.

Visitors can ride on the hay wagon, view a tractor parade, watch a grist mill in action and sample country cuisine like collard greens, barbecue and corn bread prepared by the chefs of Inman United Methodist Church.

The Aultman Taylor steam traction engine will once again rumble and smoke for antique engine enthusiasts and the threshing machine will be in operation. There will also be some new additions, like a cotton gin, provided by the Walls family of Cumming, a syrup mill and pot, plus a rare 1920 Fordson pavement roller, owned by Zane Bristol of East Point, on display.

Minter, who splits his time between journalism and farming, originated the weekend event to perpetuate the name of Inman and to keep its local heritage alive. "There are so many old communities from our past that seem to vanish into obscurity," Minter said. That's not likely to happen in Inman, where tours are also available to school groups in search of rural history.

On the Minter farm, home of Inman Heritage Days, is an authentic cabin from Fayette County which was moved and reassembled log by log. Visitors get a real sense of history touring the tiny house, which contains furnishings of the day.
The show is presented by the Minters in conjunction with Georgia Chapter 29 I H Collectors, Georgia Antique Engine Club, North Georgia and West Georgia Two-Cylinder Clubs and Inman United Methodist Church.

For additional information, phone 770-461-2840.

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