Betty Hodges, Route 5, Box 375, Boone, NC 28607, Photos by Betty
Hodges, and Jeff Seagle.
Anew location and dates proved to be successful as on Thursday,
July 26, antique tractors and gasoline engines began arriving at
the High Country Fairgrounds in Boone, North Carolina, for our
eleventh annual show. This event was previously known as the Autumn
Leaves Crank-Up and held the first weekend in October.
For this year’s High Country Crank-Up, 192 exhibitors
presented 345 gasoline engines, 23 antique tractors, and five steam
engines against the peaceful backdrop of the western North Carolina
mountains. Nine states were represented, including Texas and
Illinois. Plaques were given to exhibitors at the end of the
three-day show.
Also on hand was a grist mill grinding corn and many antique
tool displays. Delicious homemade ice cream was made through the
use of a John Deere Model E 1? horsepower gasoline engine. Other
good food was provided by local restaurants and the Women’s
Auxiliary of Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church.
This was also the first year that camping with limited
electrical hook-up was available for exhibitors. Other activities
were an engine-related auction, flea market vendors with
engine-related items, and several craft booths. For added
entertainment, a dirt track automobile race was held on Saturday
evening. A Sunday morning church service was held, with three
retired ministers participating.
There are 37 members in the Boone club, which meets monthly. A
highlight at the end of each season is a family picnic, usually
held on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Although Boone is a tourist area and university town, motel
reservations are obtainable when made in advance. This may be done
by contacting the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 Blowing Rock
Rd., Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or phone 704-264-2225. For
further information concerning this year’s show, contact
Raymond Scholl, 704-297-4406, or Mack Hodges, 704-264-2196.