BRODHEAD — Monroe resident Fritz Wenger used to attend the walks benefiting the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin because he was interested in the cause.

However, having a tractor drive or ride would be more up his alley. 

“I thought this would be a neat way to bring awareness and help raise money,” Wenger said. 

Wenger is now a part of the team putting together the Fifth Annual Tractor Drive/Ride at the Brodhead Airport Sept. 23. 

The drive/ride will feature a morning ride and another ride in the afternoon around Brodhead. 

Wenger said the event hits home for his wife Sarah because her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with dementia. He said he hopes to find a cure before his wife could potentially have it. 

“Everybody forgets things,” Wenger said. “But when you have it in your family, you’re more paranoid.”

Noreen Greaten, a dementia specialist from ADAW, will be speaking during lunch at the airport about the 10 signs of dementia. Wenger said he hopes the public will come listen to the presentation so they know the warning signs. 

“It’s educational for the people who don’t have firsthand experience with the disease,” Wenger said. “It can be hard to comprehend.”

The morning ride will go by Wood’s Crossing and the afternoon ride will go by Collinswood Elderly Care where residents can watch the tractors go by. 

Brodhead resident Robert Schwartzlow, one of the organizers of the event, said the planning process has been getting easier and that he enjoys being a part of it.  

Everyone is welcome to attend the event. 

The Boy Scouts Troop 108 will serve lunch at noon at the Brodhead Airport. Airplanes from the Kelch Aviation Museum and tractors will be on display. 

Last year, the event raised $5,000 for ADAW and this year will have over 50 sponsors.