Tractor enthusiasts and the public are invited to central North Carolina for the three-day national convention of the International Harvester Collectors Association in March.
A celebration of the nearly 125-year-old brand that has supported small farms and large agricultural operations alike, the event officially kicks off March 19 at the Village Inn Hotel and Events Center in Clemmons. The three-day event will feature informative sessions, a trade show, entertainment, a banquet and a keynote speech from Max Armstrong, producer and host of the “Farm Progress America” and “Max Armstrong’s Midwest Digest” daily radio programs.
There are three chapters of the International Harvester Collectors Association in North Carolina – one in the east (Chapter 37), one in the west (Chapter 43) and one in the central part of the state (Chapter 42).
Chapter 42 will host the national event for the first time since 2020, with the other two chapters involved as well.
“International Harvester continues to be an important part of agriculture in North Carolina and is often considered a member of the ‘family’ for many farmers and enthusiasts,” said Chapter 42 President John Moon. “Many collectors still have the equipment and vehicles used by their parents and grandparents, which brings back precious memories.”
Will Brinkley, a first-generation N.C. farmer who gained fame as a social media influencer “The Tarheel Farmer,” will provide entertainment. Tim Honeycutt, Chapter 24 treasurer, said the convention also looks to support the local tourism industry by organizing trips to nearby attractions. Attendees are welcome to tag along on trips to the Billy Graham Billy Graham Library, Childress Vineyards and Race Shop, and the Andy Griffith Museum.
Free and open to the public, the trade show will feature International Harvester parts, manuals, collectables and wearables, and a tractor display across the grounds. Rogers Auctioneers will also conduct an IH auction on March 20, and IH-related consignments are welcomed.
Honeycutt said there will be “something for everyone” at this year’s convention. From classes on carburetor cleaning, quilting and social media, every attendee should be able to find something to do and learn.
“We try to make it applicable to everyone,” Honeycutt said. “It’s not just a bunch of guys sitting around talking tractors, there should be something entertaining for everyone.”
Honeycutt said he hopes the event showcases North Carolina’s IH following and heritage.
“We have a lot of tractors here in North Carolina that have supported tobacco, row cropping, cattle and all kinds of farming, so we really want that support to show,” Honeycutt said.
The auction and trade fair are free to the public, while the classes and banquet require registration.
Honeycutt said the 2020 convention was held just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted group gatherings.
Chapters of the International Harvester Collectors of North Carolina are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations focused on education and preservation of the International Harvester (“IH”) and CaseIH brands. Profits from the convention will support the educational and philanthropic efforts of the chapter, including hurricane relief efforts in rural Western N.C., FFA tractor restoration and scholarships.
To register, advertise or learn more, visit https://ihcollectorsnc42.com/ihc-winter-convention-2026/, or contact Tim Honeycutt at tlhoneycutt@aol.com.