Pontiac Threshermen’s Reunion

This year is our 44th reunion and, believe me, it really is a
reunion. About 16,000 people pass through our gates each year, many
of whom have come to Pontiac year after year. Each new year brings
new faces and we think that’s great!

Our show includes all the usual things you’d expect to see
at a steam show, but we have lots of extra things, too.

The Iron Pony steam train runs daily at our park during the
show. This scale train was built by Augie Otto in the 1950s and is
now owned and operated by the Farmer and Nowa families. You can
board the train, sit back and relax for a bit while visiting the
show.

Larry Marek of Hinckley, IL engineers this 1906 20 HP Nichols
& Shepard owned by Paul and Sue Anderman of Oswego, IL.

Another specialty is the black smith shop, operated by the
Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association. This group is busy all day
and they often work late into the night. The clank of hammers and
the spray of orange sparks from the blacksmiths often rival the
evening spark shows by our engineers. If you stop by the shop,
you’ll notice that each blacksmith has created a special
decorative hook on each support pole …’artistry in iron’
is a good way to describe what you’ll see. Not only do they do
decorative work, but you’ll often find them repairing or making
a part for a steam engine or a tractor to help out the exhibitors
as a favor. They are quick to answer questions and they enjoy the
work that they do.

We had a lot of ‘specials’ in 1991. We had our
first-ever feature exhibit. The Illinois Valley Two-Cylinder Club
organized an outstanding display of John Deere equipment. Jim
Kenney, Club President from Streator, organized the exhibit and
also conducted slow races for the enjoyment of visitors and
exhibitors alike. This truly is a dedicated bunch of John Deere
enthusiasts. We’d like to extend a special thanks to them for
being part of our 1991 show. They are great!

We were lucky enough to have the rare one-of-a-kind Foden steam
wagon at our show, which is owned by Domino Pizza giant Tom
Monaghan of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The steam wagon was brought to our
show by Marvin and Roland Brod-beck of Michigan, thanks to the
Haley boys, who show the antique wagon for Monaghan. The
steam-powered wagon was made in Sandbach, England in 1925 and was
used for freight transport. It’s quite a unique looking piece
of machinerypart truck and part steam engine! It was a popular
exhibit.

We like to preserve area history and this year the association
was pleased to display and operate a 1931 Fairbanks Morse 40 HP
engine that once powered the Leroy Water Works. During the show you
could always tell the engine was running by its unmistakable
sputter and pop! This engine was recently donated to us by an
Indiana man who had purchased it in the 1970s. The engine has now
found a permanent home in Pontiac.

This 1925 Foden steam wagon was built in Sandbach, England for
freight transport. It is now owned by Tom Monaghan of Domino
Pizza

On the domestic side, another addition was a quilt show that was
organized with the help of the Pinckneyville ladies, Rosemary
Doedtman and Alice Dagen. (The Pinckneyville bunch is
affectionately known in Pontiac as the ‘Outlaws’! They help
us a lot during our show.) Area folks displayed quilts of all
designs and colors there were double wedding rings, Grandma’s
flower gardens, pineapple quilts you name it! The quilts were
judged and ribbons were awarded. The contest was free and was
intended just for fun and enjoyment. One lucky visitor went home
with a handmade quilt from the quilt show raffle! This year’s
quilt show should be bigger and better.

A group of ladies provided another unique feature to the show,
an old time General Store, which included a potbelly stove
(complete with accompanying cat), penny candy and bright polished
apples in granite-ware bowls. There were collectibles of all kinds
on display. Ladies in bonnets and long dresses helped customers
with souvenir purchases and answered questions about the
reunion.

We know 1992 will prove to be just as interesting for our
visitors. We will be featuring an Oliver Hart-Parr exhibit and we
plan to have a special commemorative toy tractor as a collectible
souvenir for those who are lucky enough to get them while they
last; supply will be limited. A new farmer’s produce market is
planned and our craft show will be greatly expanded with many
working craft demonstrations.

Who knows what other surprises will be in store at the ’92
show? You’ll have to come visit us to find out!

We can’t close without taking the opportunity to brag a
little. Our association received a state honor in October. The
Central States Threshermen’s Reunion was lucky enough to be
chosen as the recipient of the 1991 Illinois Regional Tourism
Council’s Award for an outstanding contribution to Illinois
tourism. We’re glad people like our show and we’re proud of
this award. We invite you to join us in Pontiac, Illinois on
Thursday through Monday over Labor Day, September 3-7, 1992.
There’s something to see and do for everyone. We’re proud
of our members, our volunteers, and our exhibitors. We’d like
nothing better than to have you visit our reunion. Just look for
the coal smoke, two miles north of the intersection of I-55 and
Illinois Route 23 in Pontiac.

For further information, call Carl Ogle, President at
815-844-3171 or Jack and Mary Oltman at 309-432-2943. Or write Post
Office Box 293, Pontiac, Illinois 61764.