MT. PLEASANT - Stay close to home and spend less money. It's what Americans are doing this Labor Day weekend. For the first time in recent history, travel has failed to keep pace with population growth. But some events right around the corner are soaring.

A Labor Day weekend in Mt. Pleasant wouldn't be the same without more than 600 classic tractors. And it wouldn't be complete without the 50-thousand people those tractors pull in.

Jim Miller says, "Brought the RV up last Saturday, and just kind of bounced around. She likes yard sales."

Judy Jones adds, "And then I go home with truckloads of junk from the yard sales."

Judy and Jim have made a vacation out of the Old Threshers Reunion. They came from out-of-state, despite high travel costs.

Judy says, "We got his motor home this year, and it's expensive. But you should see the campers and RVs over there. Millions of dollars worth of gas. I don't know how many thousand there is."

Organizers plan this 57-year-old event on Labor Day weekend for a reason. They know people are looking for something to do. But not everyone is such a big tractor fan. Still, the idea of having such a big event right in your own backyard is appealing. In fact, nearly 80% of the people in attendance travel less than 100 miles to get here.

Old Threshers Reunion CEO Lennis Moore says, "They see these things moving around, and they talk to the people who own them. And when they come back the second time, then they are truly part of that Reunion experience."

An event so close is convenient, but organizers also work hard to maintain its old-fashioned allure. For out-of-staters like Jim and Judy, the distance isn't handy – it's a haul. But Judy's been coming back for 30 years, and she plans on parking right here with Jim again next Labor Day weekend.

Reunion organizers say events like this are always hit or miss because of the weather. Last year, the event lost some attendance with two rain days out of five. But, so far this year, skies have been sunny. Old Threshers Reunion runs through Monday.