augplowcity

2003 Plow City Toy Show
By David Tallon, Tallon Custom Collectables

Moline, Illinois was home once again to the Plow City Toy Show on Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th. Approximately 40 vendors representing several states from around the Midwest filled the arena floor at the Mark on the John Deere Commons. The 2003 show was the 23rd annual and was the second year it was held in the Mark. The Mark is a modern, spacious facility, but unfortunately caused a schedule problem for the show this year. The Quad Cities Steamwheelers, an Arena Football team, also use the Mark for their games and practice. The team extended their season by making it to the playoffs, and their Saturday night game forced the Toy Show to make changes from their published schedule. To make up for closing several hours earlier than planned on Saturday, the show organizers extended the Friday hours. Despite the schedule changes, attendance was good both Friday and Saturday. Vendors on hand offered the latest new toy releases as well as many vintage items. Several vendors offered a variety of toy restoration and customizing parts, as well as fully assembled customs. There were a pair of farm layouts on display for show-goers to view. Toy Farmer Magazine was on hand , and Scale Models and Die Cast Promotions both had their new and upcoming models on display.

The show's 40 vendors nearly filled the Mark's arena floor.	The Ackerman Farms Toys booth had a large selection of C&D Models tractors and implements, kits, parts as well as several customs.
Precisions of Kentucky had several models on display, including this puller and an 8640 John Deere 4WD.	David Westbrook of Newton, IA had his impressive farm layout on display featuring many nicely detailed custom tractors and implements.

There was plenty to see for those who prefer their "toys" on a 1:1 scale as well. The Mark is across the street from the John Deere Pavilion, where visitors can see John Deere’s newest equipment offerings side-by-side with several pieces of vintage equipment. The real treat for the Green equipment fan however, was the 4th Annual All-Green John Deere Collector Show and Auction. Visitors were treated to gorgeous weather all weekend while checking out over 100 pieces of John Deere tractors and equipment on display. A tractor and equipment auction was held at the John Deere Collector Center’s “Moline Tractor and Plow Co.”, a restored 1950’s style John Deere Dealership.

The John Deere Pavilion has many new and vintage machines on display.	A new John Deere 6420 sits beside a beautifully restored 4010.
The John Deere Collectors Center "Moline Tractor & Plow Co."	There was a wide assortment of John Deere tractors on display at the tractor show.
Up for auction was this restored John Deere 1010.	This restored John Deere 4020 Diesel High Crop was also in the auction.