1844 Gaylord Drive, Arkon, Ohio 44320
The Tuscara was Valley Pioneer Power Association staged the 18th
annual Antique Power Show on the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds,
Dover, Ohio, on August 21, 22, 23, 1981. Paid admissions totaled
7,223 in addition to the Association members, exhibitors, and
children under twelve. The total attendance was 8,300. The parade
marching band, 76 antique cars and trucks, 22 traction and portable
steam engines, 3 scale model steam traction engines, 87 gasoline
and oil tractors, 3 threshing machines, baler, ensilage cutter, and
other miscellaneous equipment.
The Association owned 54-inch saw mill was in almost continuous
operation during the three days. Other operations included grain
threshing, straw baling, ensilage cutting, grain grinding, and
shingle making, two mills. The Baker fans and the DC generator
supplied the belt loads for the steam and gas engines. The DC
generator and the Ashcroft fan simulated actual belt work with
variable loads. The horse drawn water tank wagon and the dog
powered churn reminded the visitors of the animal power used before
the days of steam and gas power. The air-operated calliope gave the
crowd an example of the circus and carnival music of former
days.
Eight stationery steam engines, 1 to 50 horsepower, 4 large
models, 51 small scale, 2 portables, 4 railway locomotives, 5
railway cars, and an operating saw mill were in the interesting
group of models. Thirteen scale model gasoline engines, and 143
washing machines sized to 15 horsepower were on exhibition and in
operation. A Rube Goldberg mechanical assembly of several hundred
moving parts driven by a gasoline engine caused the visitors to
stop and take a second look.
The unofficial tractor and steam engine pull provided
entertainment on Friday evening. The steam tractors operated by
Dute, Kennedy, Carl Weidman, Whitmore and Woodard all pulled in
excess of 17,000 pounds and put on a good show with their stack
exhausts.
The gas and oil tractor pulls were judged according to the
tractor weight. The results follow: 2500-3500: Calvin Lillie 188%.
4000-5000: Carl Scott 175%. Over 5000: Jim Griffin 171%.
The Saturday evening entertainment included the old time
fiddler’s contest with 12 contestants in two age groups and the
slow steam engine race, and the steam engine block race. Elmer
Wenger and Bill Powers tied at 37 seconds in block race; Elmer won
with 34 seconds. Howard Calamie won the large class slow race, and
Charles Scheffel won in the model race.
The arts and crafts sales tables displayed a wide range of
articles for sale. The flea market was larger than in previous
years, and offered personal items from hats to socks; new and used
tools, household articles, collectibles, and antiques. Food
concessions offered a variety of food with hot and cold drinks.
Church services were held on Sunday morning. On Saturday, Calvin
Lillie was named ‘Thresher-man of the Year;’ Bernice Lillie
was designated ‘Queen of the 1981 Show.’ Verle Baker and
Robert Scheetz acted as masters of ceremonies and kept the public
address system busy with their announcements and comments about the
various activities during the show.
The Association officers extend their thanks to all of the
members for their work and interest; to the Ladies Auxiliary for
their support; to the exhibitors whose equipment made the show
possible; to the arts, crafts, and sales people for the interesting
and varied articles on display and for sale; and to the visitors
whose continued support will encourage us to try for a better show
next year to be held at the same location on August 20, 21, 22,
1982.
