In order to find out what kind of a year 1980 was for shows
around the country, we made a few calls and collected some letters
to give us an idea. The two big enemies of good attendance, rain
and the faltering economy, took a toll on some shows, while others
had no problems. Here is a sampling of what we learned……
We learned from two shows which were brand new in 1980. The
opened in 1978 held its first show this year. Activities included
pioneer crafts, antique autos and gasoline engines, and operation
of a traction engine. Among the craftsmen were a blacksmith,
stained glassworker and spinners, weavers and harness makers. The
one traction engine at the show, a 1918 George White steam engine
idled a George White threshing machine. Attendance was good enough
that another show is planned for this year!
Also new last year was the Belltown Antique Car Club & Steam
Show in Belltown, Connecticut. Even though the club was plagued
with late advertising and misty weather, 1400 people attended the
show. This was the first year for engines to be shown with the car
parts show that is traditionally held. Larry Hall, who spoke with
us, has a collection of caliopes, plus 75 engines. They are looking
for a new location for 1981.
Albany Show in Kansas
Edwin Bredemeier wrote to us on the Albany Jubilee in Sabetha,
Kansas, which was held on October 4 and 5.
‘Greetings from hot and dry midwest and report on postponed
Albany Jubilee. ‘How does a postponed show turn out?’
everyone asks. Good is my decision. Two nice days even though we
needed rain. The gas engine alley was as big or bigger than in
’79. Had a scale model steamer hooked up to a scale model wood
saw with a special blade to cut coasters from Hedge Red Cedar and
Walnut wood 3-4 inches in diameter.
‘Carl Meier of Dubois was on the coal shovel and throttle of
the Port Huron Compound doing its thing on the big Yellow Fellow
thresher but he relinquished the belt a few times to the 40 x 80
Avery tractor.
‘The tractor display boys dug up a plow and plowed the two
small fields for the museum. They are going to get another plow for
1981 to pull two plows behind the 28 x 50 Hart Parr.
‘Abels of Clay Center, Kansas had their shingle saw
operating for souvenir shingles for the crowd. The flea market was
as large as 1979 and as big a variety of merchandise.
‘The Museum suffered a loss about four weeks before the
show. Lightning struck their Depot and it burned to the ground with
all of its contents. Plans are to find another depot to replace the
loss.
‘Old cars were well represented. The two outstanding ones, I
think were the early IHC auto buggy and a Hudson 1/2 ton pickup.
They looked like new and ran as well. There were several other
outstanding cars in the parade with the usual run of nicely
restored units.
‘The board of directors would appreciate finding a saw mill
for the shows. They also decided to postpone the show, which was
scheduled for the last two weeks of July to the October
date.’
Central Florida
Central Florida Gas and Steam Show reported their biggest year
ever, with an attendance of probably 2,000definitely up from last
year. Keith Oderkirk told us that 200 members of the Flywheelers
Club came for a big dinner on Sunday. About 30 people exhibited
engines, and the museum was open. The museum is in a building
100′ x 30′ and contains a washing machine, sewing machine,
old engines, a 1902 Cadillac and a 1908 Sears Roebuck car. There is
also a sparkplug and wrench collection.
Paul Crow wrote from Charleroi, Pennsylvania for the Tri-State
Historical Steam Engine Association and said the show on September
19-20 was very successful. Ed Weston wrote to say that the
Wisconsin Steam Antique Engine Club Show in August 9-10 was ‘a
very successful show with good weather and the biggest crowd
we’ve ever had.’
Albany, Minnesota
Bert Schwing hammer reported that the Albany Pioneer Days in
Albany, Minnesota, (September 12-14) was down in attendance from
1979 to about 5,000. Apparently the culprits were rain and mud.
Special events included a log sawing contest and the first opening
of a log house which is partially furnished and restored. A queen
was crowned for the second year this is a very popular event. This
year’s queen is a former teacher who takes care of the restored
school house on the museum grounds. Each year, the association
tries to add a building and there are now about 12 buildings on the
grounds.
At Hedtke Farm
The North Central Illinois Steam Power Show was held again in
1980 at Hedtke’s Hickory Oaks Farm. There were three good days
and one day of rain. Attendance was about 6,000 people from 23
different states and some foreign countries. Special events
included disking the ground with horses, plowing with engines and
exhibition of a 110 HP Case steam engine. Also in operation was a
12 HP threshing hitch, an 1889 Case model, powered by 12 draught
horses in a circle.
A museum on the property houses 22 threshers, 5 engines and 9
gas tractors, plus various implements in a 60′ x 144′
building. A frontier village is going up and now includes a harness
shop, model T shop and blacksmith and woodworking shops. This year
will be George Hedtke’s 25th year in steam shows so the club is
planning more special events.
American Threshermen
Attendance at the American Thresherman Association Show in
Pinckneyville, Illinois was down a little bit last year because of
the very hot weather and slow economy. Probably between 15,000 and
18,000 people attended the show, which was held August 14-17. The
program was the same as in the pastplowing with a 12 bottom plow
and standard activities all day. On three nights they had
championship tractor pulls and on Sunday an antique tractor show.
The museum, which used to be open on weekends and special occasions
is now open only during the show.
Geneseo, Illinois
One of our representatives, June Merrow, wrote us about the
Antique Engine and Tractor Association Show in Geneseo, Illinois,
held on September 13-14:
‘I guess we’ve ended our year of threshing shows as of
yesterday and I am not sure whether I’m glad or not. Anyway it
ended on a happy note. It was the first show of the season that got
through the entire show without rain at least one day. I believe
everyone in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa at least got rain. Five of
our nearby county fairs even cancelled part of their scheduled
days. One had only the livestock judging. We set up our model saw
mills at one the first part of September and had to carry it out to
the blacktop drive piece by piece through nearly knee deep
water.’
We’d like to thank the people who took the time to speak
with us or write about their shows. Unfortunately, no pictures
arrived before our deadline, but we hope to have some by next
issue. Let’s also hope that there is no rain during shows in
1981 and that the economy has taken a happy upturn by summer!
