Questions about setting up a plowday

Our club is looking for ideas for future club plowdays to make them better for our members. For those of you who have attended a lot of plowdays, especially those of you who have hosted one, I would like to hear some of your experiences, good and bad. For example, did you lay off lands ahead of time, did you set aside specific lands for participants based on size/number of bottoms, did you have spare parts/tools on hand, etc. I guess what I am saying is, what would the "ideal" site for a 20-30 tractor plowday look like?

thanks,
Al

I have hosted a plow day for 5 years now, it is a "friends and family" affair, I never advertise, just word of mouth. Sounds like yours is a club.
You probably should set up some common sence rules.(age of tractor, size of plow) I do mine in the afternoon, starting at 1:00, usually done around 4-4:30.
Yes, have all strips started a day or 2 before.
Yes, have some baSIC tools handy. (trip ropes break, a chain, can of gas, )
About 2 acres per plow is a good guess. So if you plan on getting 20-30 plows in the 2-3 bottom range, 40 acres should be plenty.
realise that you will get some guys there that have never plowed before, they will need direction, take your time and help them. Guys may also arrive with a plow just dragged out of a grove and expect it too work.
if "family" will be there, they will need attention, provide shade (trees or tent) . Mine is "pot luck". Have picnic tables, and have people bring lawn chairs.
I have found that plowing can take care of it's self, it's the other stuff that can be a headache, shade, seating, parking , food ect.
If it is a hot day have some kid (or you, the host) drive around to the tractors and offer cool drinks, (free of course).
No alcohol.
Take pictures.
These small plows have very little clearance, I do mine on wheat stubble, corn stalks will not work.
short rounds work best, like 1/8th mile.
It is 50/50 , plowing/eating-talking ect.
Brian(MN)

I too have hosted one based on word of mouth. Usually do it in the fall after we get beans off. I agree with the other post, keep basic tools around because somebody will show up a plow just pulled out of the fenceline. Only thing i disagree with is the 1/8 mile rounds. I found that most people like to do a full 1/2 mile round. Actually had alot of good comment about doing the long rounds. I never worried if someone screwed something up plowing because i would come in later with big equipment and level and clean it up.
Just have fun with it and realize that you will never satisfy everyone.

WE do attend a few plow days for Garden tractors and vintage farm tractors. and a couple Big Boys.
Even had a team of mules, 2 and 3 hitch at one show .

These are usually 3 day events starting on Thursday evening for those camping. Friday for general get together s, and unloading equipment. maybe some tractor games

Sat For plowing and any other activities such as pulling sled, games, etc.

Usually we try to find at least an acre per tractor area for Like cub cadets to JD 430's

The bigger ones need more. Don't limit it to tractors add horses too. many fine people out there love to show their stuff.

People like to see a couple portable Johns and some kind of hand washing station. even if it is just a 55 gal barrel with a tap.

Mom and your sister in laws could sell water bottles and sodas, maybe Kielbasi and hot dogs.
maybe even have a supper on Sat Night for a reasonable cost with a RSVP notice ahead of time.. Like we do.Everyone likes to eat !!

Those attending could bring something for a White elephant sale too, with proceeds going to you for things like Insurance that you could get a waiver on.for a weekend. Cost of renting John's A 50/50 raffle is also suggested.

We have had our plow day and threshing day now for four years. We always keep it simple and fun. let teams of horses join. Walking plows are a big draw and bigger if you can let people handle the plow as it goes down the furrow. We usually have a line of people waiting to plow with the walking plow. Horse and wagon rides are also a big hit. We started ours for our home school group and friends. Now we have about 150 people. We never charge or sell anything. This way the whole family can enjoy it. We have potluck supper in the evening. All is done on a Sat.afternoon. Just did ours about two weeks ago. Six teams of horses, and about 13 tractors. We also added a couple of disc, and field cultivators. Remember, furrows will not stay straight and things will break. Just have fun and be safe!
Kevin

what part of MN?

Renville county