Some years ago, the PurpleHull Pea Festival Committee came up with an idea to make the festival a grand gathering for garden tillers of all makes, brands and horsepowers.

The idea was to have tillers from the far corners of the world come to Emerson for just one day and join tines with their earthy brothers and sisters in a wonderful ecumenical event.

We dreamed of aerial photos showing the streets of Emerson overflowing with throngs of tillers, their engines softly puffing in harmony, tilling ever so gently in unison, accompanied by their trusty human sidekicks.

We dreamed of a Million Tiller Parade.

However, as yet, success has been limited; the goal somewhat elusive.

In fact, during the 2000 Million Tiller Parade, we were exactly one million tillers shy. Fortunately for us, our PurpleHull Pageant winners, motorcycle clubs, fire trucks, and other vehicles and entities took up the slack.

Nevertheless, we continue to strive. We’re happy to report that a healthy number of tillers participated in the 2019 Million Tiller Parade. But not a million. Not yet. But we’re getting closer.

Got a tiller? Got anything? Feet? That’s all you need to be in the parade. Just show up at the Emerson Fire Department (behind Dixie Mart) near the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 79 and Arkansas Hwy. 98, on Saturday, June 27, 2017. The parade will begin forming at 12:30 p.m., and start at 1:00 p.m.

We want you and your tiller there. No kidding.