TVPPA Historian, 101 South Main Street, Navarre, Ohio 44662
The August show, at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds, Dover,
Ohio, brought to a close a decade which was a period of growth and
excitement for our organization. The 80’s brought us many
special events and visitors, like Junior Christian’s newly
restored 110 HP Case, our 25th anniversary, John Deere’s 150th
display, a show featuring the Russell Co., and in 1989, the
International Harvester Company. But just as important are our
regular exhibitors, workers and membership who have helped to put
on a quality show, rain or shine.
But enough for retrospect! The 1989 Dover Steam Show was billed
as the year to feature the International Harvester line of
equipment, to answer the battle call I suppose, considering John
Deere had their line showcased in 1987 and the past merger with
Case, a great deal of interest was generated.
The IHC line was well represented, from 3 steel wheeled Titans
through their early IHC diesels and a handful of crawlers. Bill
Ford, a retired Area Service Manager for IHC, served as guide and
host in the IHC tent. We also were fortunate to borrow some of the
amazing IHC collection of John McNanull including his wooden-geared
grain binder for display.
Friday night was the antique tractor pull, with the John Deeres
showing their muscle. The IHC’s and other antique tractors, as
well as a few steamers, showed why they also took the lion’s
share of the tractor market in years past.
Saturday night we had a full house as we all rested from our
activities of the show day and enjoyed our Old Time Fiddlers’
Contest. Sunday began with our church services before we started
our Sunday show, and ended with our Grand Parade at 3 p.m., which
ran almost two hours.
The steam traction engines were 20 or so in number, plus 8
working scale models. Russell, being locally made (20 miles north
in Massillon, Ohio), was well represented, as were Case and Baker.
All totaled, eleven major companies were represented.
Two of the surprises this year, to say the least, were big. Much
to everyone’s surprise, greeting them Friday morning was a
tractor larger than most of the traction engines a 30-60
Aultman-Taylor tractor recently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Dale
Carns.
Our second big surprise was a 1926 yard Erie steam shovel. Its
proud new owner, Rusty McGinness of our host city, Dover, Ohio, had
just purchased her in Springfield, New York and rushed home
specially to be in our show. The crowded, busy and well-organized
gas engine area was filled with the sound and smell of the internal
combustion engine. Everything from a large Bessemer to a display of
Maytags held the attention of young and old.
I would be amiss if I failed to mention the diversity of the
flea market, the arts and crafts and my favorite, the Women’s
Auxiliary food stand. The only sadness in writing our show report
is knowing you can not cover it all or thank everyone involved. We
say thank you to all workers, planners, exhibitors and visitors who
helped make the 1989 show another good one.
Our 1990 show, which will be held August 17, 18, & 19, will
feature the Huber Company of Marion, Ohio. The committee is
presently planning a gala event. For more information on the Huber
display contact Kenneth Diehl at 216-879-2064. Other correspondence
should be directed to TVPPA, Inc., P.O. Box 387, Dover, Ohio 44622,
or call show manager Verle Baker at 216-343-6771. Hope to see you
August 17, 18, and 19 at our show in Dover, Ohio at the
fairgrounds.
