515 Northgate Dr. Dyer, Indiana 46311
On the third weekend of July, 1992 a year’s hard work and
effort materialized at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point,
Indiana. Allis Chalmers tractors and machinery were highlighted,
drawing in exhibitors that filled the feature tractor pavilion and
the surrounding hillside. A model U, a model H crawler, two
variations of road graders, Bs, Cs, WCs, WDs, Gs, sickles, plows,
cultivators, balers, and a towable combine provided a fairly
diverse look at the Allis Chalmers answer to every farmer’s
needs. Two Rumely Sixes and two Rumely Oil Pulls (one a full size,
one a homebuilt scaled down version) were four distinguished
examples of the company that eventually became Allis Chalmers.
Toy tractors, dealer literature, an A-C riding mower, pedal
tractors, and company memorabilia added greatly to our feature
display pavilion. Some of these exhibitors came from quite a
distance. For this devotion to our hobby we must say with all
sincerity, ‘Thank you very much!’
Other manufacturer’s tractors were also well represented.
International Harvesters formed a very impressive line, down along
a walkway by the arena. A cluster of Massey Harris anchored the
eastern end of the tractor display area. The balance of the field
was sprinkled with John Deere, Ford, Case, Co-Op, Minneapolis
Moline, Avery, Baker, Oliver, and Fordson displayed randomly. Three
full size steamers and two scaled miniatures puffed away over near
our sawmill. Throughout the weekend these steamers powered up quite
an array of working demonstrations.
We are fortunate to have an old covered bridge in a grove of
natural oaks and maples to use as the setting for the working
displays of our show. A sawmill, drag saw, and shingle mill
impressively transform logs into rough cut lumber and shingles.
There is nothing that sounds sweeter than hearing one of these
steamers (Case 50, Minneapolis, Keck Gonnerman) start to really
work as a log is being fed into the blade on the mill. Threshing,
corn shelling, corn chopping, and hay baling alternate throughout
each day, along with the mill demonstrations so that our visitors
always have something to see.
Located on a hill between the tractors and the threshing area
are the antique engine exhibitors. This is one aspect of our show
that is expanding on a yearly basis. Each year brings a few new
faces and more returning old friends. Briggs, John Deeres,
Fairbanks Morse, Ideal, Cushman, Me Cormick Deering, Root and Van
Devoort, Stover, Associated, Olds, Hercules, Sandwich, Sattley,
Oshkosh, and Wisconsin are a few of the engines that were present.
Many of these engines are shown powering fans, grinders, pumps,
compressors, churns, lawnmowers, etc. enlightening our guests about
how these power plants once served in rural America. Exhibitors
with highly detailed operating model engines are becoming
increasingly more common in this area.
We members of the South Lake County Agricultural Society strive
to offer something of interest to all our visitors. Parades,
tractor games, dynotesting of tractors, kiddie tractor pulls,
petting zoo, bucksaw competitions, horseshoe pitch matches, antique
cars on display, hot riveting demonstrations, a growing flea
market, tool and craft displays, and food vendors galore do their
best to inform and entertain all the great people visit us each
year.
Our 1993 show dates will be July 9, 10, 11. Ford and Fordson
tractors, and all Ford products will be our upcoming feature.
Please keep these dates in mind and marked on your calendar. Plan
to come and exhibit, or just enjoy a nice summer’s day reliving
the ‘Glory Days of Farming’.
