Buddy Rider Pre-Approval Please Note:

This only applies to new buddy seats or buddy seats that have changed from previous years (added people, different tractor, changed the seat in any way).

Before you can register and pay for a buddy seat, you must fill out a pre-approval form.

Before you fill out the pre-approval form you must read the buddy rider rules 

There are specific items that must be on the tractor in order for it to be approved. 

You will also need to submit at least six photos of different angles of the tractor and seat.

These photos must include how the seat is bolted. 

Once the form is submitted it will be emailed to us.

We will then review the photos and contact you by email with any questions or to let you know if the seat is approved.

Your confirmation email will include a confirmation number.

You may then register the buddy rider(s) online and pay for registration (once registration opens).

You will need to supply the confirmation number when you register online.

If you have any questions, please contact us at bridgecrossinginfo@owossotractor.com or call/text Rebecca at 989-721-6882.

If you're sending an email please include your name, tractor and club. 

Click on the link in the window below for all the Bridge crossing rules

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https://www.mackinacbridgecrossing.com/home-1

Event Rules & Regulations

All participants must read the event rules and regulations before registering.

Failure to abide by the rules may result in removal from this year's event and subsequent events. 

Rules for those taking a buddy seat, or riding as a buddy rider also need to read additional rules.

Spectator Information

We appreciate everyone who comes to watch the event!

It's a great sight to see everyone lined up the cities, excited to see the antique tractors.

This information is provided to the best of our knowledge.

We encourage you to call the cities directly to confirm information.

We are in no way responsible for changes to the route, schedule, parking, etc. due to factors outside of our control.

When Does It Start

We leave the south staging area on the Mackinaw City side about 8:45-9:00 the day of the event. 

When do they shut the Bridge down for the parade

The Bridge has never been shut down for the event.

Tractors will take the outside North Bound lane.

Other traffic will be allowed on the bridge during the parade.

For any questions regarding the Bridge, please contact the Mackinac Bridge Authority at (906) 643-7600. 

What is the parade route

The tractors will parade down Central Avenue towards Mackinaw City, drive under the bridge and turn left onto Nicolet Street.

They will proceed down Nicolet St. and drive onto the Bridge. 

Once they cross the Bridge they will take the first exit for St. Ignace (US-2) and turn right at the stop sign.

They will then parade through downtown St. Ignace, ending up at Little Bear Arena for the weekend. 

Where can I see the tractors before the parade

The tractors stage at the gravel pit two miles west of Mackinaw City on Central Avenue.

The public is welcome on Thursday or Friday from 11AM - 2PM.

Please DO NOT park on Central Avenue. Drive into the gravel pit and let our staff know you are there to see the tractors.

They will direct you to drive to the back of the staging area in designated parking.

There is a people mover onsite that will transport you from the front to back of the staging area. We have an information tent at the front (big white tent) and apparel/merchandise for sale.

We also have a food truck onsite.  Where can I view the tractors during the parade

In Mackinaw City, you can usually sit along the parade route.

For information on where to see the tractors, please call the Mackinaw City Visitor's Bureau at (231) 436-5664.

To see the tractors come off the Bridge, there is usually viewing at the Mackinac Bridge Authority welcome center to the right of the toll booth.

This is dependent upon them allowing traffic each year and limited availability. 

To see the tractors in St. Ignace, take the first exit into St. Ignace and turn right at the stop sign.

You will be able to see them from the Family Dollar store all the way to the NAPA store in downtown.

The Marina is a good place to watch (there is limited parking).

For any questions regarding parking, please call the St. Ignace Visitor's Bureau at (906) 643-6950.

Where can I view the tractors for the weekend

The tractors will stage at Little Bear East Arena in downtown St. Ignace Saturday and Sunday.

There is visitor parking across the street from Little Bear.

DO NOT park in Little Bear's parking lot.

Your vehicle will be blocked in by tractors and towed at the owner's expense. 

DO NOT park on Ojibwa trail at the bottom of the hill.

That road is blocked off for tractor games through the weekend.

DO NOT drive around barricades.

Vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. 

  

If you do not belong to a club that is participaing, the Antique Farm Power Club takes new members and out of state people.

You can call Mike Bannink at (616) 690-6116 (club rep) or Mark Scholten at (616) 293-1961 (President)

Dues are $20,00 per year per person.

Once you are signed up for the Crossing, you will want to book your hotel.

A list of area accommodations can be found by clicking here.

Most hotels require a credit card to hold the room, but do not charge up front.

Most St. Ignace hotels are within 1/2 mile of the staging area in downtown St. Ignace.

There are also campgrounds available on both sides of the bridge.

Please note:

There is no camping at the staging area in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.  Registration and entry fee may be paid online, mailed in or given to your club (if that is their preference).

A completed participation form and payment must be received at the same time in order to be registered. 

A tractor driver checklist is provided to ensure you bring everything needed for the drive.

 ARRIVING AT THE CROSSING:

Participants are encouraged to arrive at the staging area anytime Wednesday, Thursday or you can also arrive Friday.

Event staff will be onsite all day and night Wednesday-Friday.

Please do not arrive on Saturday morning, as there is too much congestion with everyone arriving prior to Crossing. The staging area is located just West of Mackinaw City on Central Avenue.

Take Exit 339 from I-75.

Stay in the right lane.

Once you exit, follow the tractor parade signs to the gravel pit (about 1.5 miles west of town).

The gravel pit will be on the left hand side.

When you pull into the gravel pit, one of our event volunteers will meet you.

You will be given an event book and a map of where your club is parked.

You will be given instructions for where to unload your tractor and where to park your truck/trailer if you are leaving it.

Please follow instructions of our volunteers, who will be wearing either volunteer shirts or yellow/orange vests.

If you have any questions or concerns please see Rebecca or Jeremy in our Information tent. Our event staff will be located in the information tent for any questions.

We will also have official event merchandise and apparel for sale as well.

An event schedule will be posted closer to the Crossing. 

Parking:

There is limited handicapped parking behind the information tent. Other traffic will be routed to the back of the gravel pit.

Please only park in this designated area.

Do not stop/stand/park in the gravel drive for any reason, for any length of time.

Do not park outside of the gravel pit.

There will be people movers available.

Golf carts are also allowed.

Drivers must be licensed and extreme care should be taken. 

Security will be onsite at the gravel pit. 

THE MORNING OF THE CROSSING: 

No public are allowed in the Mackinaw City staging area for any reason on Saturday morning.

Limited parking is available for participants in the designated areas.

Please only park in the designated area.

Transportation:

We offer bus transportation for participants from St. Ignace to the Mackinaw City staging area Saturday morning.

This helps to cut down on the vehicle traffic and is convenient, as you don't have to worry about getting your car later.

For bus information.

 All participants are to be at the Mackinaw City staging area no later than 8:00AM (we prefer 7:30) on Saturday morning.

Please go to your tractor and ensure everything is in working order.

Each tractor and buddy rider will receive an official entry magnet just before we leave for the Bridge.

This will be handed out by your club representative.

Please be at your tractor ready to receive it.

The entry magnet authorizes you to be on the bridge and tells the Michigan State Police and the Mackinac Bridge Authority that you are authorized to be in the parade.

Only those participants and buddy riders that have paid their fees and have approved tractors will be allowed to cross.

Your club representative has a list of all drivers and buddy riders that are approved.

Please do not ask our staff for your entry magnet (or "medallion") as the club rep is the only one who can hand it to you.

Your club rep will have a meeting with Bob and Rebecca early in the morning and then will receive the packet of entry magnets for their club.

They will then pass them out at the tractors. 

Event staff will be onsite from 6:30am - 8:30am for any questions or if you would like to purchase apparel or merchandise. 

There will be an opening ceremony. We ask that everyone shut down their tractors by this time, and if able, make their way to the fire truck.

We will do a flag raising, as well as sing the National Anthem.

There will be a few opening remarks, and then everyone will be instructed to start up their tractors and get ready to roll!

DURING/IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CROSSING: 

There are two parades during the crossing.

The first parade will immediately board onto the Bridge and start crossing it.

The second parade (about 300 tractors) will wait in Mackinaw City and then parade through town before boarding onto the Bridge. 

It is against regulations for anyone to swap drivers during the parade before or on the Mackinac Bridge.

If you started out in the gravel pit, you will need to remain on the seat throughout the parade.

Reminder:

Drivers must be at least 18 years old.

Buddy Riders can be 16, but must be approved ahead of time and under no circumstances are to operate the tractor. 

Once you cross the Bridge you will parade to St. Ignace and be parking at Little Bear Arena (near/behind the NAPA store).

This is where the tractors will stage for the weekend.

Heart of Michigan tractor club will be parking all the tractors.

They have been assisting us with this for years and are great at it.

Please listen to them and park where instructed.

There is a strategic way of parking to ensure all tractors fit in the parking lot.

Important:

If you are going right home Saturday morning after you cross, you do not have to park with the tractors.

You can continue to the gravel section of Little Bear Arena where the loading docks are. 

Our event staff will be in the information tent all day Saturday and Sunday for questions or if you would like to purchase merchandise or apparel. 

Lunch will be served inside Little Bear Arena from 11am - 3pm. Choice of hot dog, hamburger or chicken with chips, drink and a cookie will be served for a small fee.

Lunch is catered by Little Bear Arena and is completely separate from Owosso Tractor Repair & Parts. 

Restrooms are located inside Little Bear Arena.

New Participant Information

We know that participating for the first time can be a bit overwhelming and we are here to make it as seamless and fun as possible.

Below are steps you should take if you are interested in signing up for the Crossing.

The deadline for 2024 is August 1.

There is a cap of 1500 tractors and it's a first come, first served basis.

To be registered a participant must send entry form and payment in at the same time and be a registered member of a participating club.

? If you have any questions, most information can be found on this site.

If you need assistance, please email us at bridgecrossinginfo@owossotractor.com.

 FIRST STEPS:

Read the rules and regulations!

It's very important to understand the rules and make sure your tractor qualifies.

Do you belong to a participating club?

This list will change as new clubs sign up through July.

If you do not belong to a club, please contact us and we will get you in touch with a club accepting new members.

You will need to pay the club dues (usually around $15) and then pay the entry fee for the Crossing.

 If you do belong to a participating club already, please contact your club with any questions or requirements prior to registering with us.