Chug two three, chug two three, don't bump

Four pairs of vintage tractors perform a "tractor dance" at the West Otago A and P Show last year. Photo by Helena de Reus.

Tractor-dancing is coming to the Palmerston Waihemo A and P Association's 129th annual show on February 4.

The rural phenomenon is sweeping the South thanks to members of the West Otago Vintage Machinery Club, who have been kicking up their wheels at various shows and displays.

"We dance, we waltz and all those sorts of things," club spokesman Charlie Davis said.

It all started when the club decided to do something different for International day, having spotted on the internet tractor-dancing being performed in the United States.

International tractors were used, as their narrow front wheels allowed them to turn sharply "and look as if [they were] dancing", Mr Davis said.

Having been impressed by the display, the West Otago A and P Association asked the club to perform at its show and the South Otago A and P Society did likewise for its show.

As well as heading north to Palmerston, they will also be performing at the Edendale Vintage Machinery Club's Crank-Up weekend at the end of this month, when 110 years of the International marque will be celebrated.

When the tractors dance they move in pairs - representing a man and a woman. The dances are "called", just as in proper square-dancing. Janet Affleck, who calls the tractor-dances, will travel to Palmerston with eight tractor drivers.

Mr Davis said the drivers burned a lot of fuel practising but had choreographed their own dance that suited them and their tractors. It had a "whole lot of different steps", so had plenty of variety for spectators.

Some of the older drivers had the advantage of having done "a bit of ballroom dancing" years ago. They all had fun and it helped raise the profile of the vintage movement, he said.