Red Power Round Up

Boy, this one really had me seeing RED and a lot of it, but I mean in a good way. It was the 20th annual International Harvester Collectors Club Red Power Round Up. Sponsored by Case IH, Cub Cadet and the Wisconsin Historical Society, hosted by Wisconsin Chapter No. 4 and held July 23-25 at Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Even the center’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum dome was red for the occasion!

George Monis took some time out of his busy schedule during the show to tell me about the club. They became incorporated and strove to have the funds they raised allocated directly to the McCormick International Harvester Collection archives at the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Over the years, the Wisconsin Chapter  No. 4 has raised some $50,000 itself and has funneled funds from other donors and chapters totaling over $100,000. This helps make the archives, photos and information available to the public and used for advertising and publicity for Case IH. Many items from the archive collections were on display at the show, including memorabilia from Cyrus McCormick and the first tractor built in North America, the Auto-Mower.

The sponsors helped make it possible for the country music recording artist Craig Morgan to perform at the show, and author and humorist Michael Perry to make an appearance, mixed in with displays of new and old tractors and equipment.

A group of IH collectors led by the Nebraska Cowman tore down an F-20 and rebuilt it during the show. It was then auctioned off on Saturday, proceeds going to the McCormick International Collection.

Antique Farmall tractors at the 20th annual International Harvester Collectors Club Red Power Round Up.		The Red Power Round Up also had a new Case tractor on display.
This corral of kids enjoyed chasing each other around in the pedal tractor area.		Artist Charles Freitag of Marion, Iowa, painted in the sunshine on his newest work of art.
Jim and Jane Rose’s 1954 Farmall SA Fire Trac included a sign with information about their tractor.		Another view of the Brookville, Ohio, couple’s Farmall SA Fire Trac.
A group of IH collectors tearing down and rebuilding an F-20 and rebuilt it during the show.		The parade of Farmalls and patriotic flags was quite a sight and a nice farewell to another show.

Just a reminder, the 2010 Red Power Roundup will be held in LaPorte, Ind., and hosted by the IH Collectors of Northern Indiana, Chapter No. 33.

See you down the road!