The 21st annual Tiger City Farm Toy Truck & Collectibles Show is just around the corner and will be featuring an actual tractor to preview a big event that’s happening in Freeborn County in June.

The toy show will be at Northbridge Mall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 5 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 6. People are invited to buy, sell, trade or just browse through collections and items for sale.

One Albert Lean, Gordon Ramsey, has been showing items at the show for five years. He’d gone to the shows before to look and was asked to bring his items to the show.

“I thought I’d try it,” Ramsey said.

At first he didn’t know what to price his handmade wooden items. He’s quickly learned the popular items and things people like to look at. He makes tractors and cars out of wood using plans that show what to do step-by-step.

He said there are people who come to the show from all over, and lots of people come to the show every year. Meeting up with other collectors and enthusiasts is one of Ramsey’s favorite parts of the show.

Ramsey uses dark walnut and a light-colored hard maple to make most of his pieces. He enjoys making cars, but the tractors he makes sell better.

“I’ve done woodworking since I was a kid,” Ramsey said.

He truly enjoys the art, and is making sure each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren have something from him. He first made all his grandsons and great-grandsons wooden trucks, and then had to find something to make for girls. He ended up making jewelry boxes for his granddaughters and great-granddaughters.

Ramsey described the show as a large affair, and said many people come for it. So far there are 80 dealers set for the show with more than 260 tables. Pieces for sale include sports cards, coins, collectibles, cast-iron toys, Hot Wheels, toy tractor parts, dolls, pedal toys, antiques, trains, literature, toy horses and more.

Farmall Family Fun Days

Bruce Jensen, president of the Minnesota chapter of collectors of International Harvesters, will have his 1939 McCormick Farmall H at the toy show to let people know about a big event in June.

The 22nd National Red Power Round Up will be held in Albert Lea for the first time on June 23, 24 and 24 at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. The national event will draw more than 25,000 people to the community.

The event is a yearly summer event for International Harvester collectors from all over the United States. Many vendors will be attending the show selling large parts and small parts including manuals, history books and much more.

“Everybody looks forward to it every year,” Jensen said.

Entertainment will include the Good Time Band, Flashback and others. There are activities for children planned. Featured tractors are the demonstrators, including a Gold Demonstrator and White Demonstrators from 1950.

Admission for the event is $10 per day or $25 for a three-day pass and can be bought at the gate. Look for more information nearer to the event date in the Tribune.