Geyserville parade trots out decorated tractors and farm vehicles

A tractor parade is nothing new to Geyserville farmers. For years locals have lit their tractors during the holidays and driven them around Dry Creek Valley.

But Geyserville’s formal holiday tractor parade, held this year on Saturday, was conceived in the summer of 2010. A group of friends who call themselves the Northern Sonoma County Locals Unlimited thought it might just be fun.

“Most of us work one way or another in farming or wineries, so we have access to some bigger farm equipment with room for lots of lights,” said Tom Rued of Rued Winery. The first year they found out when the town’s tree lighting would be and posted their intentions on Facebook. “We did not ask Geyserville if they wanted us. We just showed up,” he said.

“That first night we had around 10 tractors and trucks decorated, and to our surprise people showed up to see us.”

The crowd has gotten bigger every year, with more than 2,000 people lining Geyserville Avenue in 2013.

Decorating a tractor is not easy. First comes the idea, then lots of lights that may take a week or more to string, Rued said. He acquired his lights over the span of several years. Replacing them would cost well over $1,000.

“The best are LED because they take less power, but they also cost the most,” he said. “Power is important since it all comes from generators or battery packs. Last year’s winning entry had two generators to run all of the lights.”

Some entrants save their displays for the Geyserville parade, while others light up and drive the side roads at night or visit places such as the Bar at Dry Creek General Store for pre-parade input from other people.

Last year’s parade winner Casey Reid also entered the Calistoga light parade the following weekend. Rumor has it that he kept his truck lit up all the way back home.

This year’s festivities start in downtown Geyserville at 5 p.m., when Santa joins Elvis on a flat bed truck in front of Ramazzotti & Mercury Winery tasting rooms. The parade starts at 7 p.m., after Santa has presided over the treelighting. Since the town is so small, the parade travels from the north to the south end of town, then turns around to do it the other direction.

All it takes to qualify is a vehicle and some lights, Rued said, although registration is requested at 857-1728, ncproperties@comcast.net.

The entire town participates in one way or another. Kim Petersen Nelson keeps plates and baskets full of sweet treats. The Geyserville Fire House serves chili, $5 or the equivalent in a new unwrapped toy.

And if you enjoy the show, thank the men who got it started in 2010: Blake Mauritson and Matt Weese, Mauritson Wines; Brian Nelson, School House Creek Vineyards; Casey Reid, Dilworth Ranch; Jose Carreno, JC Trucking; Mark Puentes, Central Valley Builders Supply; Tom Rued, Rued Winery; Lelo Martinez, NorCal Trucking; Jake Delisle, Delisle Enterprises; and firefighters Jason Mallory and Dave Murray.

Contact Deborah Mitchel Serval at ?thewinemaven@yahoo.com.