First Time Going to Big Show (2026)

[rmaynard 17,271]

Also, here's a hint on communication. AT&T cell service is not available at the fairgrounds.

Those cell services that use AT&t include:

Cricket Wireless

Consumer Cellular

Boost Mobile

H2O Wireless

PureTalk

Red Pocket Mobile

US Mobile (under their "Dark Star" network option)

Good2Go Mobile

FreeUP Mobile

FreedomPop

 

There may be more. Verizon service is excellent. Other members may chime with what works for them.

 

I personally have a dual SIM phone. My main system is Consumer Cellular (AT&T), but the other SIM is Tracfone (Verizon) 

[wallfish 20,078]

6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

A bit closer for old Ed Dog.

Can you please grab me 2 pulled porks and a bag of ice while you're up there? 

[WHX?? 56,964]

11 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

I’ll be sure to join the WHCC

You can join right at the show too. 

Really that kinda sucks about the church group. Sounds like the Lions are being dinks. 

[Thegearhead0324 1,558]

One other question, if I decided to bring my tractor with me, would it be ok to bring and put up a small pop up tent to sit under in case of rain or hot sun? If so do I just pick a spot? 

[953 nut 66,769]

26 minutes ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

One other question, if I decided to bring my tractor with me, would it be ok to bring and put up a small pop up tent to sit under in case of rain or hot sun? If so do I just pick a spot? 

That is what everyone does, Just pick a spot and it is yours for the weekend Come early for the best selection.

[Thegearhead0324 1,558]

@953 nut Thank you for that info, I will keep that in mind. 

[c-series don 12,003]

@Thegearhead0324 , pick any spot you want, just as long as you don’t pick mine!😂 Kidding, totally kidding I’m usually up in the show building. I’m not sure if I’m bringing any tractors this year or just stuff to sell? 

[ri702bill 12,275]

On 4/15/2026 at 4:15 PM, Handy Don said:

that about 20% of the crowd are members, maybe more, but only a few follow the forum closely.

That holds true for most Fraternal Organizations too. But get the word out that there will be a standing vote to raise the price of beer at the next meeting, they come out of the woodwork......

[squonk 46,957]

On 4/16/2026 at 5:00 PM, wallfish said:

Can you please grab me 2 pulled porks and a bag of ice while you're up there? 

For some reason I read that as a "bag of rice" Thought maybe John dropped his phone in the toilet and needed to dry it out! 

[Thegearhead0324 1,558]

Less than a week for the show for my first time, will be there Friday morning. I had to get new tires for my trailer as my other ones had some dry rot after 11 years or so. I’ll be bringing my 1257 to ride around on and bringing the tub cart as well so the warden can ride around on it. Also decided to bring a pop up tent and a cooler so we can sit under it with the tractor. 

[WHX?? 56,964]

Sounds like some is getting a bit excited Gear??? Rightfully so ... this will be my fifth time going and now two years in a row. Sure wished I lived right down the road from it. It's 3000 miles for me. Well maybe not THAT far but it seems like it with Dan driving and me holding on to the OH Jesus handles most of the way. 

Make sure you track us down on turn one (Squonk's corner) and say hello. We may also be in the hospitality tent with the black & gold enclosed trailer in the camp ground and a big red Dodge. 

 

left to right 

Ed @tunahead72 Cas @formariz Richard @953 nut James @Jrblanke The Squonk @squonk Randy @rjg854 and myself.

Sure is a delightful load of BS ther 

Edited yesterday at 11:19 PM by WHX??

[Thegearhead0324 1,558]

@WHX?? Yes definitely excited, nervous and excited. The show is about 5-6 hours away from me, will be driving a 95 Chevy (my every day driver), red, and my tractor will be on a home made trailer my dad built years ago (also red), I’ll be arriving in all red. Hopefully the weather is decent to walk/ride around and everything goes smooth. 
 

I’ll be sure to try and find/track you guys down. I’ll be plopping our tent somewhere I can find space. 

Edited yesterday at 11:26 PM by Thegearhead0324

[Blaine 44]

First time for me too, which is kinda crazy because i only live 26 miles from there, and i've always had at least one Wheel Horse since the late 80's early 90's, but never anything newer than 1969, because i like'm that way. I heard about the big show maybe 15 years ago and it had always already passed when i'd remember about it, which was usually when the tie rod would fall off while mowing with the 401, AGAIN. i've probably used a pound of weld wire to keep making the hole small again. But i'm not missing it this year.

[WHX?? 56,964]

1 minute ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

everything goes smooth. 

Even if it doesn't those are the best trips one remembers. 

[Blaine 44]

I don't mean to hijack this post, but as a first timer myself, but is there designated wrenching area, or am i free to wrench off the back of my truck in the parking area with maybe a 10x10 canopy since there's a possibility of rain in the forecast?

[WHX?? 56,964]

9 minutes ago, Blaine said:

 but is there designated wrenching area

 

Yep any where near Wallfish he has the BFH. Off the back of any truck works too tho. 

 

9 minutes ago, Blaine said:

possibility of rain in the forecast?

It is what it is and nothin we can do about that. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/115851-weatheralways-a-scary-topic/

[adsm08 4,620]

31 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Yep any where near Wallfish he has the BFH.

 

Should I bring my LFH?

[WHX?? 56,964]

16 minutes ago, adsm08 said:

 

Should I bring my LFH?

No ... what you should do is pony up and get your handle in RED. 

[Blaine 44]

Well the way i roll, everything is a hammer. 

[adsm08 4,620]

5 minutes ago, Blaine said:

Well the way i roll, everything is a hammer. 

 

 

[953 nut 66,769]

13 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

I’ll be sure to try and find/track you guys down.

Here is a map that shows the location of @squonk's corner at the end of the arrow.     That is where the Red Square group photo will be taken.

[Blaine 44]

I'll be there for the Thursday AM group photo. 

[953 nut 66,769]

3 minutes ago, Blaine said:

I'll be there for the Thursday AM group photo. 

No way, Thursday is for bargain hunting, BSing and catching up with old friends. There will be so much going on that you would be hard pressed to get people to stand still for two seconds.                  

[wallfish 20,078]

13 hours ago, Blaine said:

I don't mean to hijack this post, but as a first timer myself, but is there designated wrenching area, or am i free to wrench off the back of my truck in the parking area with maybe a 10x10 canopy since there's a possibility of rain in the forecast?

Whatchya got? You're more than welcome to come wrench with us as we always have something going on too. We're located in front of the first vendor barn.

But you can wrench pretty much anywhere as they don't discourage that but no dumping of any fluids

[Blaine 44]

39 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Whatchya got?

 69 Raider 12 roller that i picked up last weekend. No idea what’s up with the white hood. I can’t find a trace of red on it anywhere. 
 

i bought the rusty 69 Raider with no spark over a decade ago to use for a trans swap in the 702, but found the frame tore up really bad at the trans mount on the 702 with previous horrendous attempts at repair, then the sector broke so that project got sidelined as life happens. 
 

 Now Whitey followed me home last week and i’m taking a gamble on swapping the big block in it with the hopes that it “ran when parked” before it lost spark. Pretty sure the breakerless trigger module is toast so the plan is to do the points conversion, so i’ll need the pushrod, points, condenser, coil, and whatever else is required. 
 

 Hoping to have the engine mounted with fresh oil and a brand new battery before i arrive there. Maybe a fresh air filter too. 
 

  I’d just like to work on it elevated because my back and knees aren’t fit for ground activities any more. 
 

 So whoever may have some of those items, give me a shout. Maybe an old frame or two also that i could salvage the trans mount from to repair the 702, and one to bolt a unidrive on to my 401 so i can still mow with it so i can take my time going over the original 3 piece trans.
 

 I’m assuming the 4 bolt mounting pattern is square so the mount could be flipped upside down to use on the 401, i know i’ll need to weld a little extra ear on each side to reach both holes of the 401 frame. 
 

edit for pic. Whitey will be on the back of that ugly blue truck

Edited 9 hours ago by Blaine