1844 Gaylord Drive, Akron, Ohio 44320
The Tuscarawas Valley Pioneer Association, Inc. held its 16th
annual show and reunion at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds at
Dover, Ohio on August 17,18, and 19,1979. Despite heavy rains early
Saturday morning and lighter showers on Sunday at the end of the
church services, the spirits of the attending public were not
dampened. The total count of people through the gate for three days
was 7,000, and no one seemed to mind the mud too much.
The show opened on Friday with 21 traction engines; 3 portable
engines; 5 scale engines (from which 1 inch to the foot to a half
scale); 8 stationary steam engines (3 to 50 HP); 24 running steam
models on the steam tables plus one gasoline model; 4 steam
locomotives under construction; a 1 inch to 1 foot steam locomotive
and cars. A 12 inch sawmill was operated by a model portable steam
engine. Also in the infield with the big power were 2 very old
threshing machines which threshed wheat on Saturday and Sunday and
a portable hay baler that baled the straw as soon as it came out of
the separators.
A 54 inch sawmill was busy all three days. A 40 inch combination
shingle and sawmill, a shingle mill, an ensilage cutter, 3 Baker
fans, a D.C. generator for engine loads, a shrouded fan, a
horse-drawn wagon, 4 tractor drawn water wagons, and 3 buzz saws
cutting slabs for engine fuel rounded out the infield
equipment.
In the other areas two grist mills were busy grinding corn,
wheat and buckwheat which sold very well. A steam and an air
calliope furnished music throughout the show. Sixty-three gasoline
and kerosene burning tractors added their color to the show and
were belted up to most of the equipment. In the gas engine area
there were 141 entries from ? to 50 HP. A large flea market had
about anything you could want, while the arts and crafts building
was full of beautiful exhibits. The women’s auxiliary sold food
and the clubs’ cups and plates.
Friday evening we had a slow engine and block race and also an
obstacle race for the rubber-tired tractors. At 8:00 P.M. we had
our first antique tractor pull for entertainment only and it was a
huge success. After the tractors were through five traction engines
tried their hand and under the dark skies and overhead lighting
made a sight to remember. A wet track forced cancellation of the
Saturday evening parade of engines and tractors. At 8:00 P.M. there
was an old time fiddlers contest which kept things hopping until
11:00 P.M.
The Sunday activities began with worship services at 9:00 A.M.
in the grandstands with about 150 in attendance. At 9:45 A.M. the
other activities started for the day with massed whistles. At noon
there was dinner at the many concessions. At 3:15, we had the flag
raising with the national anthem played by a calliope, also a
cannon salute from a 3 inch cannon whose owner also had a Gattling
gun on display. At 3:30 the antique car parade began with 40
entries, the oldest being a 1908 EMF touring car.
Following the cars the traction engines, tractors and other
equipment were paraded to end the show for this year.
Other notes of interest were the naming of the ‘Thresherman
of the Year.’ This year it was Floyd White our chaplin and his
wife, Mary, the chaplin of the women’s auxiliary was crowned
‘Queen of the 1979 Show.’ Allen Baker, age 88, was in
charge of the steam model tables. Lewis Dittoe, age 87, operated a
14 HP engine and Herb Holmes, age 81, operated a 12 HP Peerless
engine. Our able Masters of Ceremonies were Verle Baker and Bob
Scheetz. The thanks of the officers and members go out to all who
had any part in making this the smooth running and successful show
that it was. We hope that the visitors enjoyed the show and will
return next year. It is your attendance that makes these events
possible.
The 1980 show dates are August 15, 16, and 17.
