Historic Fordson 500 celebration to be commemorated at the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show

With a remarkable series of milestones giving the 2026 Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show an exceptional range of celebration themes, one special landmark being celebrated at this year’s show on 7-8 November is the 30th anniversary of the incredible Fordson 500 event that took place at Newark Showground in 1996.

It was an initiative which was so well supported it saw more than 1,000 Fordson and Ford tractors converge on the venue.

Fordson and Ford owners are expected to be out in force this year, and all are welcome at the Ford and Fordson Association club stand, which will have the usual range of rare, eye-catching and stand-out exhibits. 

The Forson 500 event was the brainchild of the late Eric Ducksbury, the then-president of the Nottinghamshire branch of the National Vintage Tractor & Engine Club (NVTEC).

As well as being a celebration of the history of Fordson tractors, this unique event represented the largest gathering of Fordson and Ford tractors to be held anywhere in the world, with 1,002 in total. It remains a Guinness World Record.

Fordson and Ford tractors and their derivatives at the event were manufactured between 1917 and 1966, ranging from the 1917 Fordson Model F to the Ford Pre-Force 2000 Dexta, 3000 Super Dexta, 4000 Major and 5000 Super Major along with Aveling, Chaseside, County, Doe, Greens, Howard, Muirhill and Roadless.

“The Fordson 500 focused enthusiasts’ attention on agricultural history preservation,” says Nicholas Kitchen, who was the chairman of the Fordson 500 event and chairman of the Notts Group NVTEC in 1996. “Restoration projects were undertaken especially to bring numerous historic tractors to this important and record-breaking event.

“We would encourage every owner to bring along your tractor again and celebrate the anniversary with us. Long may it be remembered.”

This year's Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show promises to be one of the strongest shows in recent years.

Much more than a tractor show, the show spans the full breadth of agricultural and industrial heritage.

Exhibits include tractors, plant, commercials, horticulture, stationary engines and implements, with expert judges travelling from across the country to award prizes to the best on show. The variety on display is one of the event’s enduring strengths, with each year bringing fresh exhibits to Newark Showground.

Across the two days, visitors are offered an exceptional programme of events and attractions, including the specialist vintage tractor and machinery auction run by Brown & Co, the popular Sunday Sortout, as well as tractor and trailer rides throughout the weekend.

One of the headlines for 2026 is ‘All Things Ferguson’, an umbrella celebration marking six major anniversaries in the Ferguson and Massey Ferguson story, and further celebration themes include the iconic Q cab, a centenary for the Lister D stationary engine, and a 60-year milestone for John Deere’s UK and Ireland operation in Nottinghamshire.

The 70th anniversary of the McCormick International B250 will be marked, and a celebration of drainage machinery will also take place.

Visitor tickets are now on sale, with discounted advance tickets available until 30 October. Day and weekend options are available, with public camping bookable alongside tickets.

To purchase visitor tickets or book camping, go to: https://newarkvintagetractorshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/product-collection/3