Labor Day Farm Auction Marks 15th Year
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NEW PARIS -ÊWhat began in 1984 as a one-day auction at the Polk family farm has become an annual event with consignments from as far away as South Africa.
Located at the intersection of Ind. 15 and Ind. 6 in New Paris, the 16th Annual Labor Day Auction, hosted by Dennis Polk Equipment, is being held Sept. 3, 4 and 6. Tractors, engines, vehicles and toys will all be on the auction block.
"This is the biggest sale of its kind in the world," said Dennis Polk.
As of Aug. 24, the tractors, toys, parts and other equipment were being delivered daily, tagged and awaiting the auction block.
"Normally, we don't have toys until the week of," said Polk as he showcased the dozens of toys that arrived more than two weeks in advance. "Normally it comes in a tidal wave but you can see how much we've got here."
Polk had already received 70 pedal tractors by Aug. 24. Normally they advertise 15 to 20 hit -and-miss engines for the auction. They received 30 by Aug. 24.
"It's not just old tractors, but also rare ones," said Dennis. On the auction block will be at least 30 tractors out of fewer than 100 that were produced. One tractor, being consigned from South Africa, is a 320U John Deere, one of only two that were built, Polk said.
Toys, signs and memorabilia were first on the auction block Friday beginning at 4 p.m. Today, hundreds of tractors and thousands of parts and implements will be auctioned off beginning at 8 a.m. Monday will be the last day of the auction and will begin at 8 a.m.
"More than likely, we'll have over 600 tractors. We've been (auctioning) 450 to 500 tractors the last few years," Polk said.
Conducting auctions around the country during the year contributes to the Polk's knowledge of what is selling, what people want and what is out there. They've conducted auctions in Virginia, New York, Ohio, Nebraska and Michigan to name a few.
"We probably sell more antique tractors than anyone going," Polk said.
Approximately 40 states will be represented during the Labor Day auction either by consignments or buying. There are also consignments from far-away countries.
"There's almost something here for everyone," Polk said.
The auction itself began in the 1980s when agriculture suffered financial setbacks. The Polks needed to raise money to supplement their income and turned to the used tractor sales business and auctions. Now, the business is not only booming but Jeff Polk, Dennis' son, is taking over the business. [[In-content Ad]]
NEW PARIS -ÊWhat began in 1984 as a one-day auction at the Polk family farm has become an annual event with consignments from as far away as South Africa.
Located at the intersection of Ind. 15 and Ind. 6 in New Paris, the 16th Annual Labor Day Auction, hosted by Dennis Polk Equipment, is being held Sept. 3, 4 and 6. Tractors, engines, vehicles and toys will all be on the auction block.
"This is the biggest sale of its kind in the world," said Dennis Polk.
As of Aug. 24, the tractors, toys, parts and other equipment were being delivered daily, tagged and awaiting the auction block.
"Normally, we don't have toys until the week of," said Polk as he showcased the dozens of toys that arrived more than two weeks in advance. "Normally it comes in a tidal wave but you can see how much we've got here."
Polk had already received 70 pedal tractors by Aug. 24. Normally they advertise 15 to 20 hit -and-miss engines for the auction. They received 30 by Aug. 24.
"It's not just old tractors, but also rare ones," said Dennis. On the auction block will be at least 30 tractors out of fewer than 100 that were produced. One tractor, being consigned from South Africa, is a 320U John Deere, one of only two that were built, Polk said.
Toys, signs and memorabilia were first on the auction block Friday beginning at 4 p.m. Today, hundreds of tractors and thousands of parts and implements will be auctioned off beginning at 8 a.m. Monday will be the last day of the auction and will begin at 8 a.m.
"More than likely, we'll have over 600 tractors. We've been (auctioning) 450 to 500 tractors the last few years," Polk said.
Conducting auctions around the country during the year contributes to the Polk's knowledge of what is selling, what people want and what is out there. They've conducted auctions in Virginia, New York, Ohio, Nebraska and Michigan to name a few.
"We probably sell more antique tractors than anyone going," Polk said.
Approximately 40 states will be represented during the Labor Day auction either by consignments or buying. There are also consignments from far-away countries.
"There's almost something here for everyone," Polk said.
The auction itself began in the 1980s when agriculture suffered financial setbacks. The Polks needed to raise money to supplement their income and turned to the used tractor sales business and auctions. Now, the business is not only booming but Jeff Polk, Dennis' son, is taking over the business. [[In-content Ad]]