The Biggest and Best Little Show in Alabama

By Staff
Published on December 1, 2000
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1952 Massey Harris Colt owned and restored by Dwight Lovell of Piney Chapel, Alabama.
1952 Massey Harris Colt owned and restored by Dwight Lovell of Piney Chapel, Alabama.
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Some of the lineup of tractors at the show.
Some of the lineup of tractors at the show.

20396 Elkton Road, Athens, Alabama 35614

1948 Field Marshall owned and restored by Charles Hood of
Franklin, Tennessee. Note the old military helmet covering the
exhaust pipe.

15 HP IHC ‘Giant’ Mogul engine owned and restored by
Stanley Britton and Mike Thomas, both of Athens, Alabama.

The Piney Chapel Volunteer Fire Department held their eighth
annual Antique Engine and Farm Machinery Show on Saturday and
Sunday, August 12 and 13, 2000. Since the show started eight years
ago, it has been growing in size every year. The weather could not
have been any more cooperative and it was beautiful and pleasant
the entire weekend.

This year, there were approximately 180 gas engines, three steam
engines, 300 antique tractors, seven lawn and garden tractors,
pedal tractor displays and numerous parts, toys and flea market
vendors. Plenty of food was served by the fire department staff,
their wives and volunteers, and what a fine job they did! John
Powers of Cartersville, Georgia, had his 2? HP Alamo powering a
five gallon ice cream freezer, providing a taste of traditional
homemade ice cream.

Some highlights of the show included a 1952 Massey Harris Colt
owned by Dwight Lovell of Piney Chapel. This tractor was bought new
here in Athens and has been here all its life. Dwight rescued this
tractor from behind a barn not far from his home and spent two
years meticulously restoring it to like-new condition. Another
unusual tractor was a 1948 Field Marshall owned by Charles Hood
from Franklin, Tennessee. This tractor has a one cylinder 40
horsepower diesel engine and weighs 6500 pounds. All other tractor
names such as Oliver, John Deere, Allis-Chalmers, International
Harvester, Ford, Case, and Massey Ferguson were well
represented.

In the gas engine display area were many beautifully restored
examples. I.H.C., Mogul, Stickney, Hagan, Termaat and Monahan,
Simplicity, Hercules and many others were all on hand to
demonstrate to curious spectators how farm jobs were made easier in
days gone by.

Some of the events held during the weekend included a parade of
power, fast crank competitions, slow races, and even a skillet
throwing contest for the ladies. Most everyone enjoyed a relaxing
ride around the show grounds on buggies pulled by antique tractors.
To sum it up, a great time was had by all who attended.

The Piney Chapel show is always the second weekend in August, so
mark your calendar and visit the biggest and best little show in
Alabama. Hope to see you there!

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