3841 Highway 421 South Boone, North Carolina 28607
For three special days this past summer, visitors to the High
Country could be reminded of days gone by, as antique enthusiasts
joined together to display and crank up their engines. These
engines of various shapes and sizes produced sounds that echoed
through the magnificent mountain countryside of Watauga County.
The sixteenth annual High Country Crank-Up was held July 28
through 30, 1995 at the High Country Fairgrounds and Raceway in
Boone, North Carolina.
What can I say? Truthfully, it was bigger and better than ever,
the largest show that we’ve ever had and the most exhibitors.
Yes, once again we had the largest number of exhibits, exhibitors
and spectators. This year there were approximately 240 exhibitors.
There were 410 engines, 37 tractors, four full-size steam engines,
32 models, 13 scooters, seven antique cars, as well as many other
excellent displays.
Here are just a few notes of interest: an impressive display of
old gas pumps and signs; the 100th made ’23 model D John Deere
tractor; a nice collection of watch fobs; pottery by Olivia Walker;
homemade ice cream and many handmade crafts by Wanda Andrews.
Other highlights were corn meal grinding by Mack, Kyle and John
Hodges; the auction with Don Johnson of Marion, North Carolina, who
successfully combines humor and talent; an impromptu tractor parade
around noon on Saturday organized by Rick Watson and Doug Brown; a
wonderful worship and song service; potatoes baked in J. C.
Green’s steam engine; antique wood lathe demonstrations by Mack
and Jeff Hodges; and log sawing by Lynn Castle always attracts a
lot of attention.
Through the years the High Country Crank-Up has been held at
several area locations. It has been using the fairgrounds facility
for the last five to seven years. Back in 1971, at Frontier Village
in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Judy Scholl, wife of Ray Scholl,
coined the term ‘crank-up.’ The name has become quite
popular and widely used many times over.
It takes all the right ingredients to make a successful show.
While we all know that EXHIBITORS make the show, many hands make
the show actually work. A lot of people work behind the scenes
getting things together; much work is done year round. Sometimes
these people may not get any credit or praise but what they do is
necessary for a show to succeed. Therefore, you can see why we are
so proud of the Carolina Fly-wheelers Engine Club with its
approximately 30 members. These members, their spouses, and family
members put on the show each year. It’s a lot of hard work but
the end results are truly rewarding. A heartfelt thank you goes out
to each of them. We were extremely fortunate to have had a great,
successful and safe show. We also had beautiful weather.
Come to the top of the world, the crown of the Blue Ridge, and
join us for this upcoming year’s High Country Crank-Up on July
26-28, 1996.
Boone where the people are friendly, the weather pleasantly
refreshing, and the seasons ever changing. All summer, all winter,
there’s always something special happening in the High Country.
Just about every High Country road leads to somewhere worthwhile.
The High Country Engine Show is THE PLACE to gothere’s lots to
see and plenty of activities to participate in. What could be
better?
High Country Crank-Up is sponsored by the Carolina Fly-Wheelers
at the Fairgrounds and Raceway on Highway #421 East, Boone, North
Carolina. For further information contact: Mack Hodges, 345 Dusty
Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607, phone 704-264-2196, or Ray
Scholl, 202 Bryan Combs Road, Sugar Grove, North Carolina 28679,
phone 704-297-4406.
