BIGGER & BETTER

By Staff
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R.R. # 1, Box 107, Edwardsport, Indiana 47528

The sixth annual White River Valley Antique and Machinery Show
proved to be the very best ever! Held September 7,8,9,1990, with a
big rain on Saturday, the spirits of the club members, exhibitors,
and spectators were very high. On Thursday the biggest wagon train
ever came rolling into the Daviess County Fairgrounds. That
signaled the beginning of the show the next day.

Friday was designated as school children’s day, a day to
educate the children about their past heritage. The club was
originated for the purpose of the collection, restoration,
preservation and exhibition of antique Americana. What better way
to tell the saga of yesteryear than to school children? That Friday
over 3,000 children saw, firsthand, how their ancestors lived and
worked.

Each day saw domestic chores at work, threshing, sawmill
working, hay presses, shingle mill, Baker fans, horse-powered
machinery, and field demonstrations. There was always the
exploration of the tools of a time gone by with a toy display, hand
tools, and other collections, horse carriages and machinery,
antique cars, trucks, over 200 tractors, belt driven dynamometer
and more. Crowds enjoyed the big steam engines and the sounds of
their whistles to signal noon, just as they did at the threshing
ring. The parade on Saturday and Sunday was always a welcomed
relief; what a good time to sit a spell and enjoy the parade and
rest weary bones. One of the favorite things of the young and old
alike was the fun farm where all the animals were.

Browsers wandering down Main Street found a large flea market,
ham and beans cooking in the black iron kettles, food stands,
lemonade, apple cider being made, and homemade ice cream. If food
sounds good, what about the sorghum cooking, cornmeal being ground,
homemade root beer, or some honey from the resident bee hive?

Women always seem to gather at the general store and the Avenue
of Shops of Yesteryear. The quilts were very interesting and so
were the quilting bee ladies. How about the lye soap that was being
made, and the old rug loom making those wonderful rag rugs?
Demonstrations of crafts of an earlier period were continuously
observed.

As you walked closer to Gasoline Alley, you could hear the
popping of over 300 engines on display. As one man said,
‘It’s music to my ears.’ The club has a new 150
horsepower Page engine and a one cylinder 25 horsepower Caterpillar
engine running in their own special house, which people found very
unique.

Seems there were a lot of people who liked to go back to school,
as the line at the one room schoolhouse was always long. School was
in session every hour on the hour and the reminiscing of bygone
days made the waiting go faster. The teacher would put you through
your paces as you sat at your desk with slate board in hand.

It was very interesting to see the corn shucking contest on
Saturday. A lot of contestants and observers were there giving
their expert advice on how to properly shuck the corn. The contest
lasted all day and it was the first time it had been attempted
here. Everyone agreed it would be in the 1991 show. Experienced old
timers plowed and worked the land with teams of horses as well as
old tractors. What an enjoyable way to remember what farming used
to be like!

There was entertainment going on all the time. Many enjoyed the
Fiddlers Contest which was held on Sunday afternoon. The western
square dancing, gospel music and bluegrass music added a lot to the
three day event.

Rained out for a second year was the Saturday night tractor
pull, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of those involved. Their
last words that night were, ‘We’ll try again next
year.’ This is the kind of enthusiasm that makes each show
bigger and better. However, the Kiddie Tractor Pull was a huge
success on Saturday afternoon. It was so enjoyable to see the
youngsters pulling. Their faces told the story at the end of each
pull.

Sunday morning church service was an important part of the
weekend. We all came together and worshipped. The preaching and
music were great, and everyone came away with a feeling of
togetherness.

Don’t miss the 7th annual show on September 13, 14, 15,
1991. The location is the Daviess County Fairgrounds at Elnora,
Indiana. You will surely enjoy the weekend and the people who help
put the show together. Come prepared to camp, as there will be
plenty of camping and parking spaces available. Motels are located
within 30 minutes of the grounds. Lock up the house, tie up the
dog, tell all your neighbors and plan to attend the White River
Valley Antique and Machinery Show.

  • Published on Aug 1, 1991
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