By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Tractor parades are now legal in Missouri.
Flanked by a bright green, 1951 John Deere Model "A", Governor Jay Nixon signed a bill into law that allows cities and towns in the Show-Me State to hold tractor parades.
"Agriculture has been the backbone of Missouri's economy ever since statehood...tractor parades give Missourians the chance to see the wonderful pieces of machinery that helped make Missouri an agricultural powerhouse," Nixon said.
The new law allows tractors to be driven on state roadways during daylight hours for fundraising events, pending approval by the Highway Patrol.
Lawmakers also added an emergency clause to the bill, meaning the new law took effect the moment Governor Nixon signed it.
The first legal tractor parade in Missouri is scheduled for Sunday in Vichy, in Maries County.