See antique farm machinery come to life at the 19th annual Summer Show
Celebrating a page out of America’s steam-powered history, the public will once again be offered a glimpse of the past on August 4, 5, and 6 at the Holmes County Steam and Engine Association’s 19th annual Summer Show.
The entire family will enjoy this three-day event, which includes contests for adults and children, chain saw art, threshing demonstrations, horse and pony pulls, bale and skillet throwing, entertainment, a skid steer rodeo, a nail driving contest, an arts and crafts booth for children, horseshoe contests, steam engines that will be powering a sawmill, threshing machine, Baker fans, and a power-eater, and up to 150 tractors.
The first show in 1993 was held at an Amish farm near Berlin. It continued at that location for the next two years. Now, the annual Summer Show takes place at the auction grounds in Mt. Hope.
Beginning with 80 members and now up to more than 400, the Holmes County Steam and Engine Association (HCSEA) is dedicated to the preservation of antique farm machinery and their desire is to keep farming methods of the past a part of the educational experience for the future.
For nearly two decades, charter members Steve Fender, Jerry Gainey, Vincent Eberhardt, Carl Maxwell, Ray Kiplinger Sr., Ray Kiplinger Jr., Dwight VanFossen, and John A. Yoder have remained active in the association.
“Everyone knows their part in the production of the show,” said Steve Fender, HCSEA president. “One person takes care of sanitation, one dust control, etc. Everyone knows what they need to do and they take care of it, making the show run smoothly. Because of this, we can have three meetings and everyone will be ready to go.”
There is no mistaking the traditional chug-chug sounds of old steam engines. Prior to gas combustion engines, steam engines were used to power machinery. Then, in the mid 1800s to early 1900s, the gasoline engine entered. The steam traction engine was the predecessor of the gas tractor.
“This year,” said Fender, “we will be featuring the Minneapolis Moline tractor at the show, and the Fairbanks Morse will be the featured smaller gasoline engine.”
Because of an anonymous donor, the 19th annual Summer Show has a new sawmill. In addition, something Fender says the crowd should really see is a modern tractor versus a steam engine demonstration that will be taking place on Friday evening at 6 p.m.
“We also have a few guys hooking up sleds for sled pulls,” added Fender. “And, a big hit each year is still the spark show with the steamers firing up at night.”
Fender and the HCSEA inspect every steam engine present at the show for safety.
With last year’s attendance between five to six thousand people, even if farming is not in your blood, you will want to attend the 19th annual Summer Show in Mt. Hope. Thursday and Friday, August 4 and 5, the event will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, August 6, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“People would be surprised to find out the value of these 100-year-old plus machines,” said Fender. “One man has a quarter of a million dollars in his.”
For further information on the 19th annual Summer Show, visit the website at http://www.hcsea.com or call Steve Fender at 330-502-5454.
The entire family will enjoy this three-day event, which includes contests for adults and children, chain saw art, threshing demonstrations, horse and pony pulls, bale and skillet throwing, entertainment, a skid steer rodeo, a nail driving contest, an arts and crafts booth for children, horseshoe contests, steam engines that will be powering a sawmill, threshing machine, Baker fans, and a power-eater, and up to 150 tractors.
The first show in 1993 was held at an Amish farm near Berlin. It continued at that location for the next two years. Now, the annual Summer Show takes place at the auction grounds in Mt. Hope.
Beginning with 80 members and now up to more than 400, the Holmes County Steam and Engine Association (HCSEA) is dedicated to the preservation of antique farm machinery and their desire is to keep farming methods of the past a part of the educational experience for the future.
For nearly two decades, charter members Steve Fender, Jerry Gainey, Vincent Eberhardt, Carl Maxwell, Ray Kiplinger Sr., Ray Kiplinger Jr., Dwight VanFossen, and John A. Yoder have remained active in the association.
“Everyone knows their part in the production of the show,” said Steve Fender, HCSEA president. “One person takes care of sanitation, one dust control, etc. Everyone knows what they need to do and they take care of it, making the show run smoothly. Because of this, we can have three meetings and everyone will be ready to go.”
There is no mistaking the traditional chug-chug sounds of old steam engines. Prior to gas combustion engines, steam engines were used to power machinery. Then, in the mid 1800s to early 1900s, the gasoline engine entered. The steam traction engine was the predecessor of the gas tractor.
“This year,” said Fender, “we will be featuring the Minneapolis Moline tractor at the show, and the Fairbanks Morse will be the featured smaller gasoline engine.”
Because of an anonymous donor, the 19th annual Summer Show has a new sawmill. In addition, something Fender says the crowd should really see is a modern tractor versus a steam engine demonstration that will be taking place on Friday evening at 6 p.m.
“We also have a few guys hooking up sleds for sled pulls,” added Fender. “And, a big hit each year is still the spark show with the steamers firing up at night.”
Fender and the HCSEA inspect every steam engine present at the show for safety.
With last year’s attendance between five to six thousand people, even if farming is not in your blood, you will want to attend the 19th annual Summer Show in Mt. Hope. Thursday and Friday, August 4 and 5, the event will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, August 6, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“People would be surprised to find out the value of these 100-year-old plus machines,” said Fender. “One man has a quarter of a million dollars in his.”
For further information on the 19th annual Summer Show, visit the website at http://www.hcsea.com or call Steve Fender at 330-502-5454.
Published: July 29, 2011
