FLEMINSBURG, Ky. - While taking a drive through the countryside around Fleming County, you’re likely to come across one of the area’s historic covered bridges, something this northeastern Kentucky county is known for.

So, it only seemed natural to incorporate the majestic image of these structures into the marketing efforts of one of the county’s other unique attractions, the annual FFA Tractor Parade that brings thousands of onlookers, both local and beyond, to Flemingsburg’s Main Street to see one of the biggest and best tractor parades around.

For decades, these types of events have been held across the state especially in rural communities, to celebrate area connections to the state’s agriculture industry.

This year, the Fleming County parade was held on October 3, marking its 22nd year as part of the county's observance and support of their agriculture industry and culminating Agricultural Education Week 2025 events.

Parade organizer Adam Hinton, whose family owns Hinton Mills, a 107-year-old farm supply business based in Flemingsburg, said the people of Fleming County started the now famous FFA Tractor Parade to say, “thank you” to the farmers who greatly impact the local economy.

“Throughout the past 22 years, a multitude of people have helped turn the tractor parade into something more than a celebration of agriculture - it is now part of the local culture and who we are as a community,” he said.

This year’s parade theme was “The Voice of Agriculture,” highlighting the impact Kentucky Farm Bureau has had on the county. Former KFB President Mark Haney served as the grand marshal.  Various members of Fleming County Farm Bureau were also recognized, many serving in key roles during the event.

The educational component

Hinton pointed out that over the years, what started as a single day parade has turned into a weeklong event.

“With the help of countless volunteers and other ag advocates, we now bring various learning experiences to every student in pre-K through 8th grade in Fleming County Schools during Fleming County Agricultural Education Week,” he said. “The bulk of the experiences are led by local folks in FFA, 4-H, student leadership organizations, Farm Bureau, Extension Services, USDA/NRCS, etc.  and our Ag Week has become a model and inspiration for other school districts.”

 The tractor parade serves as the much-anticipated grand finale of the week with tractors coming from throughout the region, according to Hinton.

“An increasing number of tractor parade participants and spectators make an effort to be a part of this special annual event,” he said. “Many of the participants are local students, farmers, and leaders, but we see many new faces from various places in the parade each October.”

Along with the local attendees, Hinton said many out-of-town guests come to participate in this celebration, including legislators, community leaders, representatives from agricultural agencies, and other ag enthusiasts.

“Although we are thankful to have each one of these friends join us, the parade remains focused on shining a spotlight on Fleming County,” he said. “Our parade brings people here, but our people keep folks coming back.”

The countless spectators lining Main Street range from the very young to the young at heart.

“You’ll have a 6-year-old sitting on the sidewalk beside a 96-year-old both having the same amazement on their faces as they see these tractors come through our downtown area,” Hinton said. “To me, this is Americana. If you want to see a kind of cross section of rural America in one day, it's the Fleming County FFA Tractor Parade.”