Secretary, N.Y.S.E.A.
The Canandaigua Grange served old fashion thresher style meals
at noon and 5 P.M. each day. These meals really ‘hit the
spot’ to city and country folks alike. An unusual set up was
the clam bar operated by the Fairview Volunteer Firemen using the
return flue of Harry Schoff’s portable which was fired by Jim
models in a nearby tent. Several old fashion steam popcorn machines
were in operation. An attractive one owned by Don Thomasson was
mounted on a Model ‘A’ chassis and painted a bright orange.
The little engines on these machines were a delight to see. The
Grange building provided headquarters for the Women’s Auxiliary
where wives of various members sold souvenirs and memberships. Of
unusual interest was Andy Theil’s handicraft display and
picture frame booth. Andy is totally blind.
The engine display was wide and varied. Board member Everett
Blazey gave 5 or 6 grain threshing shows each day drawing 8 acres
of heavy oats from his farm. Other threshing demonstrations were
given by Charles Deman and George Behn with small stationary
engines and smaller equipment. The straw was baled and stored at
the end of each day. In addition to the large collection of steam
engines one could see a wide variety of antique gas tractors and
portables under the supervision of Bob Caves. One area had over 60
small engines all running and popping along at once! Bob also saw
to it that we had several large gas tractors and oil pulls in the
daily parades.
Speaking of the parades – they undoubtedly were the main
attraction. Each parade lasted well over one hour and included all
moving vehicles. Our ‘Steam Queen’, Lucy Tyler, lead each
parade on a different engine. Lucy’s husband drove his antique
gas tractor and her grandfather, a Rumely! The size of the parade
almost doubled on Sunday when the Genesee Valley Antique Auto Club
swelled the ranks with 70 antique cars. At first the owners of
these beautiful restored cars appeared a little disgruntled when
smoke and dirt from the steam traction engines fell on their
‘prizes’, however, they took it all good naturedly and
ended up with a special parade of their own at the end of the
day.
Various tug-o-war events attracted considerable attention. The
regular scheduled ‘pull’ was an old traction steam engine
and a modern Ford Diesel tractor. Through ‘expert’ handling
of the old steamer — the Ford invariably lost! On Sunday,
President ‘Wally’ Wood with a Buffalo-Springfield roller,
challenged Bob Marshall with his Frick to a tug-o-war. Who won? It
was a tie. Neither could outpull the other.