613 Hawthorn Centralia, Missouri 65240
And now, the weather for tomorrow rain moving in. No! It couldn’t rain on the opening day of the U. P. Steam and Gas Engine Association’s 18th annual show.
Over 100 antique gasoline engines were in place for visitors to admire.
Over 50 antique tractors had been brought in for display including a 20/30 Eagle, 10-20 Titan, and 25/40 Oil Pull.
The large steam traction engines loomed over the U. P. State Fairgrounds in Secant, Michigan, silently waiting the first light of Saturday morning to bring them to life again.
Saturday morning of Labor Day Weekend proved to be encouraging a few clouds, but not enough to keep people at home. A scattered shower or two during the day encouraged people to enter the Agricultural Museum to see the club’s 15 HP Badger sideshaft in operation, or to observe the Corliss steam engine slowly turning as it has for the last 100 years.
Another key attraction in the museum was the replica of a Conestoga wagon built by the Von Broklin family. Complete with canvas cover, it looked ready to begin a trip across the United States to California.
Those not finding cover in the museum could take refuge in one of the many shops in the Steam and Gas Engine Village or the building housing the large operating model railroad display.
Each evening gave time for reflection on the day’s events and a chance to watch the spark show. Saturday evening gave an opportunity for the 120 club members to renew old friendships and to get acquainted with new members.
Sunday the show was well attended. Excitement ran high as visitors browsed through the largest flea market in the U. P. If you needed it, you could find it.
Other attractions included watching the steam powered sawmill, rock crusher, and shingle mill in operation.
Free tours of the fairgrounds and exhibits were available by horse drawn wagon or a tour bus furnished by Calumet Tours.
A very popular attraction on Sunday afternoon was the Second Annual Fiddler’s Jamboree. While people came and went during the afternoon, as many as 200 people filled the bleachers to enjoy good old time music.
Monday was the biggest day at the gate, with hundreds of spectators choosing to spend their Labor Day watching spinning, weaving, quilting, threshing, and other displays on the Fairgrounds and in the Village.
Visitors marveled at the scale model shingle mill that actually sawed shingles, powered by an old time gas engine.
Monday afternoon, each had an opportunity to participate in square dancing what a time!
A big thank you to each club member who worked so hard to make this year’s show such a great success.
Our gratitude is extended to all of you who attended this year’s show, especially those who came to visit or bring equipment from outside the U. P.
We hope you will attend our 19th Annual Show, Labor Day Weekend, September 3, 4, &. 5, 1994- And watch for it. Our 20th Anniversary Show in 1995, our biggest and best ever.
