Unique collection

One fair’s loss is another fair’s gain. Due to the cancellation of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Cross family was unfortunately unable to partake this year in the annual parade with their collection of restored vintage John Deere tractors – so they brought them to the Crook County parade instead.

The family has taken part in Frontier Days for 35 years, but it’s been a long time since the collection came to Crook County, says Forrest Cross. The four tractors that rode in the parade included the oldest in the collection, which dates back to 1927.

“It’s a big family thing that we do and it’s awesome to bring them up and show people,” he says.

“My grandfather, when he retired, started restoring them. The whole collection started with my great-uncle and great-grandfather down in Colorado. They farmed down there and so they had the antique tractors and it just kept building and building.”

The collection currently includes 13 fully restored tractors and a few extras for parts. Before Forrest’s grandfather, Dwayne Trembly of Cheyenne, passed away in 2018, he hosted tractor runs and plow days as well as the annual Frontier Days appearance.

Though the family is still restoring tractors – including one that Forrest himself is currently working on – “Ever since he passed away, Frontier Days is the only place we ever take them out and show them off,” he says.

The family is not sure yet whether they will be able to appear in next year’s parade, but certainly enjoyed the reaction from the crowd and the excited phone calls and texts they got from onlookers.