Stafford Tractor Co. and Stafford Heavy Iron held an open house and equipment rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 7, at its adjacent facilities in Lawrenceville, GA.

On the picture-perfect Saturday afternoon, a steady stream of more than 300 attendees made their way to the event. Numerous displays of JCB, Link-Belt, Liebherr and Vibromax equipment as well as pre-owned machines were on the Stafford Heavy Iron lot, as manufacturer representatives helped demonstrate their machines.

There were door prizes aplenty along with a number of other giveaways. Guests chowed down on a catered lunch while watching performances by the “world famous” JCB Dancing Diggers.

JCB’s mobile road show tractor-trailer unit also made its inaugural stop at the Stafford open house, and attendees had a chance to get the first look at the mobile hospitality lounge before it makes its way north to the New York State Fair in Syracuse.

The equipment rodeo became quite a grudge match as contestants competed for the top three spots –– and the cash prizes. With a combined three-event time of two minutes and 11 seconds, Erick Mack of AWS Environmental, Hoschton, GA, won the big cash prize of $1,000. Second place winner, Oscar Johnston Jr., of Jr. & Sons Enterprises, Locust Grove, GA, took home a check for $500, and Charlie Pittman of Pittman Earthmoving, Monroe, GA, earned a $250 check for winning third place.

“On behalf of the Stafford family, I want to thank everyone who joined us at our open house celebration,” said Steve Judkins, Stafford Tractor Co. machinery manager. “… It was exciting for our team to spend time in a fun environment with our customers and their families.”

Photo: In his quest to be a repeat rodeo champ, the winner of the last Stafford Tractor open house challenge, Charlie Pittman (L), of Pittman Earthmoving, Monroe, GA, gets some coaching on a JCB 8032 ZTS mini-excavator from Dwayne (C) and Brian Collins (R), both of Stafford Tractor.