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LOCAL WEATHER
DIRECTIONS TO COTTON GINNING DAY
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
The BIG flyWHEELS:

  • Jeff Hovis-President

  • Jacob Hovis-VP

  • Jan Friday-Treasurer

  • Reggie Stone-Secretary

  • Reggie Stone-Newsletter

  • Nov 2024 meeting:

    Thursday Nov 7th
    Citizen's Resource Center    
    Dinner at 6:00. Meeting at 7:00

    Board of Directors

    Archived meeting notes

     
     

     

     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     
     
     

     
     
    Cotton Ginning Days
    The Official Web Site for the Cotton Ginning Days festival in Gaston Co. , North Carolina.
    EMAIL
     
    (Food, vendor, and crafter permits)
     
    (Tractor and engine displays)
    or 704-913-4672
     

    The Cotton Ginning Days Festival is always the 2nd weekend in October. It is a cooperative venture between the Parks & Recreation Department of Gaston County and the Gaston Agriculture, Mechanical, & Textile Restoration Association (GAMTRA).  The marriage of GAMTRA and the county's resources have allowed this festival to grow to the largest in the county, with annual spectator attendance exceeding 25,000. The festival celebrates the county's rich textile heritage as GAMTRA members restore and display farming machinery used at the turn of the last century. Come enjoy a glimpse of life in the early 1900's during these three days as we celebrate the 36th year of the festival.

    CLUB & SHOW NEWS:

    March Swap meet. Saturday March 23, 2024 Open 8:00 at the showgrounds. Click here for swapmeet flyer.

    OCTOBER 11th, 12th, & 13th, 2024: Our 37th year! The three days of Cotton Ginning Days will be here soon! Show grounds open Wednesday October 9th for those wanting to camp and visit a little longer.  Click here for show flyer.

    Friday night there is a social around the gin building with hot apple cider and deserts of all kinds. Come get reacquainted with old friends and meet some new ones at 6:00 p.m. See ya at the gin  building in the middle of the show grounds.

    SECURITY  Exhibitors can rest easy knowing their displays will be under careful watch by our local police department the week of and the weekend of the annual show.

    LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Our Representative, Sue Myrick, attended Cotton Ginning Days years ago and was so impressed she requested GAMTRA prepare a "Local Legends" record of Gaston County  to be on permanent display at the Library of Congress.  This can be seen on the web here

    JOIN IN THE FUN Interested in becoming a member of the GAMTRA organization? Do you like antique engines, tractors, steam engines, traction engines, or farm equipment? Maybe you'd like to rub shoulders with fellow hobbyist in the area. The GAMTRA group is a great organization to meet like minded folks interested in this great hobby. Preservation of  Americana, and then displaying it to educate the public about the way of life a 100 years ago is the mission of our friendly group. We have meetings once a month and a couple of club picnics/dinners at the show grounds each year.

     


     

     
     
     



     


     


     

    GAMTRA T-S ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FESTIVAL AND SUPPORT GAMTRA.
    CLICK HERE to contact Rusty for shirts after the show.  
    ONLINE TRADING OF ENGINE AND TRACTOR PARTS
     
    HARRY'S OLD ENGINE PAGE & SMOKE STACK. CLICK HERE for more information.
    PHOTOS FROM COTTON GINNING DAYS
     
     
    2024 (coming)