“The way farming used to be.”
That’s the 21st annual Power of the Past Antique Engine And Tractor Show Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11-12-13, at Forest Park, 302 North Locust, in Ottawa, announced Bob Stevanus, official of the Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Association.
“The group started as a gathering of a handful of antique engine and tractor buffs in 1995, with nine members, and Lewis Reed as our first president. Through the years, we have grown to nearly 400 members,” said Stevanus, adding that the Franklin County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is cosponsoring the show along with the association.
“Our organization’s mission is to preserve the past, bring back the memories of days gone by, and create a learning experience for younger generations through demonstrations of equipment at various events throughout the year,” Stevanus said.
“One reason for starting the organization is the Warner Manufacturing Company was located in Ottawa until the early 1950s. Warner manufactured Ottawa engines, making Ottawa the perfect site to see the gas and horse-powered farm implements of the past,” Stevanus said.
“However, this show is much more than a gathering of gas engine and tractor enthusiasts, although those are pretty amazing when all of the engines are chugging at once,” he added.
“With the passage of time, many of our younger generation have never seen or experienced farm life in its heyday. We’re creating a learning experience from this event, where the future meets the past,” Stevanus continued.
“We say to senior citizens in our community, come out and see the farm equipment of your youth. To the younger generation we say, observe an experience of a ‘pre-computer’ age. Everyone should see the Power of the Past,” Stevanus assured.
This year will feature Orphans and less known tractors and engines. “There will be a drawing for a restored Leader 1949 model D tractor to given away during the show. So, don’t miss your chance to be a winner,” Stevanus declared.
“Transportation is to be provided for those with problems walking, but there will be no RV hookups available, and no alcohol is allowed in the park,” Stevanus noted.
Kickoff is breakfast Friday morning Sept. 11, with the national anthem at 8 o’clock, with the same early morning schedule planned for all three days.
Likewise daily attractions from 10 o’clock to dusk are live music, threshing, horse drawn rides, antique saw demonstrations, rock crushing, hay baling, feed grinding, soap making, saw mill, rope making, operating cider press, homemade ice cream and much more.
Highlight for many is the Parade of Power every day at 1 o’clock, featuring tractors and engines paraded around the show grounds.
There’ll be a free ham and bean supper Friday starting at 4 o’clock until gone,
A kiddie tractor pull is Saturday morning at 9:30, and there’ll be a fund raising auction of donated merchandise beginning at 10:30. The garden tractor pull is at 1 o’clock Saturday, when the Kiddie Corner is also to be open.
Always an attraction is the ladies skillet toss, Saturday at 3:30. Live music by the Odds & Ends Band is scheduled from 5 to 7 o’clock.
Church begins at 8:30 Sunday morning with wrap-up of the big three days after the Parade of Power at 2 o’clock.
Of interest to many, tractors and engines featured in the past have included Oliver-Hart Parr tractors, Fairbanks Morse engines, 2207; Allis Chalmers tractors and Maytag engines, 2008; Massey Harris tractors and Monitor engines, 2009; Ford tractors and Cushman engines, 2010; Case tractors and Witte engines, 2011; Minneapolis Moline tractors and Ottawa engines, 2012; International Harvester Company tractors and engines, 2013; and John Deere tractors and engines, 2014..
Upcoming shows are to feature Oliver-Hart Parr tractors and Fairbanks Morse engines, 2016; Gathering of the Orange Allis Chalmers National Show and Maytag engines, 2017; and Massey Harris/Ferguson tractors and Monitor engines, 2018.
Details are available at www.powerofthepast.net, and www.visitottawakansas.com.
