Working antique tractor show draws thousands to east central Illinois

The smell of the smoke expelled from the chugging steam engines, the giant American flag waving above acres of antique green, orange, red and yellow tractors, and the excitement of people watching machines in action is something you only experience once every two years here.

Those sights, sounds, and smells of the Half Century of Progress Show on the runways and surrounding acreage of the Rantoul Airport are part of the extravaganza that brings thousands to central Illinois around the Farm Progress Show.