2277 Berry Road, Amelia, Ohio 45102.
Knowing I am interested in machinery and the way tasks were done
years ago, my brother-in-law mentioned in August, 1971, that there
was a machinery show in Georgetown, Ohio. Unknown to me at the time
was how, as time progressed, this antique machinery show would
become more important and even the highlight of the year in my
life. It was important not only to me, but to many other people, as
the history of the machinery shows that have sprung up all over the
country since then testifies.
Many people are like myself: if there is going to be a great
gathering of people, I go the other way. You do not feel
comfortable in crowds, do not trust the association of people you
do not know. It seems there are people out in this world who are
bent to do other people harm. But I was pleasantly surprised to
find the atmosphere congenial, friendly, and even helpful-just the
opposite of my expectations.
If there were any trouble, you would not have known it because
the directors of the show just will not permit troublemakers or
problems to interfere with the reunion and the enjoyment of
everyone there.
At the last reunion, a fellow telephoned from Wasilla, Alaska,
about six weeks in advance and wanted to make arrangements for a
space. He had some stationary engines for sale and some just to
show. Well, you can’t please everyone but the directors sure
try. The directors told him to ‘come on down’! They fixed
him up with a space in such a way he could show his engines off and
still be able to sell his wood carvings and engines.
He told me he thought the Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Show was
the friendliest gathering he had been to; he really enjoyed
himself. He said one day he had to leave his engines and carvings
unattended for a short time and when he came back he noticed
someone had taken one of his carvings while he was gone and put the
money under one of the other carvings. What a group of people to be
around! I met up with him at another show. He said he would be back
next year and that the Georgetown Show was the most friendly
experience of all the gatherings he’s been to.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words; this picture
of Tom Rohrich says it all. He had just won the tractor slow race
and is just proud as punch doing so, but look at the fellows in the
background, they just lost and they are having the time of their
lives. That’s the spirit in all the events, have fun with your
machines.
I told a fellow I would sure like to drive a Fordson Model F and
experience the history under me. He said, ‘I’ll fix you
right up.’ He had me taking my first test drive of a Fordson
Model F tractor!
One unique feature of the Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Show is
there is so much to see and do to enjoy your tractor.
There is the 1920 Bucyrus Steam Shovel in working condition, one
of the very few left. You might say it’s the mascot or symbol
of the organization. Thanks to the donated unselfish efforts of
past directors and people wanting to preserve part of the past for
us and for future generations, this machine exists and so does the
show.
There is a dynamometer for belt pulley or power-take-off so you
can test your tractor to see if it is putting out its full
potential of horsepower. There is a sanctioned tractor pull and,
beginning in 1991, a sled to practice with all three days. An
egg-cracking contest is held, as well as a slow race, a
teeter-totter, and of course you can always give your tractor a
workout on the sawmill, shingle mill, rock crusher, thresher and on
and on it goes.
This past year we tried something new, a tractor tug-o-war which
was very successful, and we will be doing this again in 1991. If
you try it, do not put steel wheels against steel wheels, it is
unsafe.
And of course the parade. Georgetown opens the doors of
hospitality to the reunion. One of the highlights of the show is
the opening parade through Georgetown. The town shuts down and
everyone comes out to see the past and present farming heritage
pass before their eyes. There is an organized parade every day in
front of the grandstand in which a person can sit and see and hear
the history about each and every machine passing before him.
If you need to find parts or sell parts, buy or sell a tractor,
there is a trading post where you can purchase or sell, or wait for
the auction on Sunday. Work it out anyway you want.
There are vendors with hard-to-get parts, books, etc., out in
the flea market area. Hopefully this next year the parts vendors
and tractor aftermarket supplies will be more centralized to the
trading post. But items you want are out there. I purchased a
hard-to-find diesel head and injection pump, very reasonably
priced.
You’ll see a great variety of tractors from a Bungartz to a
Farmaster and the history of these tractors you learn from their
owners is just fantastic. What these fellows have to go through to
preserve those unusual tractors! You say you’ve never heard of
nor seen a Farmaster tractor before? I haven’t either and no
one else has, so you can imagine the difficulty this fellow had in
restoring it.
This example is a diesel and the pump was bad, he went to great
lengths and expense to bring the machine back to life. He did a
beautiful job, well done.
An example of many, many tractors at the show that are too
numerous to mention. The featured tractor makes this year were the
Rumely Oil Pull and Allis Chalmers family. There were 20 Rumely Oil
Pulls from 1912 Model E to 1928 20-30, and 38 Allis Chalmers from a
1923 Model E to a 1960 D14.
One of the founding fathers of the show, Ed Fiscos, was there
with his first shown and rare Model E Rumely Oil Pull.
The young people and people with newer tractors are encouraged
to participate. Of course that is the life-blood of the antique or
collector tractor experience.
The price of scrap has been up for a couple of years now. We are
losing our restorable, usable tractors very quickly to scrap. If we
do not encourage the younger people and people with the newer
tractors to get involved these shows could die out with us. An
example and link with the past would be gone forever. So it is
encouraging to see so many young people involved in the
reunion.
Come visit the friendly show next August. If you can’t, at
least help make your local show a friendly show.