Bollinger County Antique Tractor Club members had to cut their first tractor ride of the season a little short Saturday morning because of the rain.

Eleven club members met in Fruitland for what was supposed to be a 31-mile round trip through the country, but plans changed. About six miles into the trip, they all turned around.

Their original lunch plans included riding their tractors into Jackson and eating at a restaurant in the area. Instead, they all headed to Circle U Bar and Grill in Sedgewickville for an early lunch after they got back to their vehicles and loaded the tractors on their trailers.

That’s where the club is now holding its monthly meetings. The club meets at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Circle U Bar and Grill. Meetings formerly were held in Patton Sale Barn.

Membership in the club had dwindled to about five or six members at the end of last year. But, largely through word of mouth, the membership has spiked to 17.

“We don’t make people do a lot. We’re all about fun, having a good time,” said Bruce Wortmann, the club reporter.

Perhaps the biggest funraisers — yes, that’s spelled correctly — are the club’s monthly tractor rides, which start every year in April or May and continue through November (before Thanksgiving and weather permitting).

Club members hail from communities all over the area, including Fruitland, where Wortmann lives, Sedgewickville, Patton, Jackson, Frohna, Pevely, Perryville and Ste. Genevieve.

During the monthly rides, members and guests ride their own tractors.

“Maybe you have a friend who has a tractor who would lend you a tractor to go on a ride,” Wortmann said. “That would work.”

The next tractor ride ­— sure, call it a do-over — will be Saturday, May 4. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Fruitland Amerimart, proceed through Oak Ridge, wind through the country to Jackson and, after lunch, circle back to Amerimart. Anyone interested in participating in the ride is welcome.

The third tractor ride of the season will be Saturday, June 29. Starting on a farm between Marble Hill and Patton, riders will travel through an old train tunnel between Bessville and Glen Allen.

Who wouldn’t enjoy that?

More details about the rides are only a phone call away. Call or text Wortmann at (573) 579-4945.