One tractor will stand out from all the others this weekend at the Chilliwack Fair.
Painted bright pink, it's hard to miss the 1952 Ferguson tractor, complete with a light pink trailer which reads 'ATA Chilliwack Antique Powerland supports cancer research'.
Richard Laffere, a member of the Atchelitz Threshermen's Association (ATA), got the idea to paint one of his old tractors pink after hearing that his friend's cousin in Australia did the same thing.
"It's to raise awareness of cancer and cancer research," says Laffere.
Although pink is associated specifically with breast cancer, Laffere's pink tractor project is to bring awareness to all types of cancer. He simply used the colour pink to catch people's eye.
It definitely gets people's attention and folks can't stop talking about it, says Laffere.
He painted the tractor over the winter, and had help from other ATA members with building the trailer and painting that pink.
The tractor and trailer has already made several appearances in Chilliwack including at the Yarrow Days Parade, Cultus Lake Day, Party in the Park, Canada Day celebrations, and other local fundraisers.
Organizations borrow the tractor and trailer, at no cost, for cancer awareness events and cancer-research fundraisers. The members of two local breast cancer survivor groups, Spirit Abreast and Chilliwack Chicks, have already used the bright piece of farm equipment this year.
"This is our contribution to cancer research," says fellow ATA member Susan Wiebe.
The ATA is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and, as always, will be open all three days during the Chilliwack Fair.
You can check out the hot pink tractor this weekend at the Chilliwack Antique Powerland Village, home of the ATA, and located beside the main fairgrounds.
Groups and organizations interested in borrowing the tractor for their cancer-related event can call the ATA at 604-858-2119.
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