4009 Main Street, Port Hope, Ml 48468
The Third Annual Antique Equipment Show was held July 1 & 2,
1989 in Port Hope, Michigan on the High School Grounds. The 4th of
July Celebration saw approximately 3500 people view a show
consisting of 190 exhibitors with approximately 200 tractors and
400-500 engines. Planning Committee members point out that this is
only a portion of those viewing the show since those 16 and under
coming through the gate are free of charge. Although the Planning
Committee consists of just four men, Roy Reinke, Marv Koglin, Fred
Hason, and Wayne Lenton, joint efforts of the community made the
show a huge success.
Not only did Port Hope hold its 3rd Annual Show, but it was the
site of the Prairie Gold Rush 8th Annual Display & Convention
of Minneapolis-Moline Equipment. Exhibitors came from eight states
and Canada to display M-M equipment ranging from a display of
garden tractors to a tractor the size of the M-M Twin City.
The featured item was a 1939 Minneapolis-Moline cab-covered
tractor owned by Scott Kramer of Palms, Michigan.
Other features included a shingle mill owned by the Twenty Lakes
Club of Michigan and restored by Harold Husted of Harrison. Cedar
shingles were made and, using an old homemade forge and a homemade
branding iron, were stamped ‘Port Hope 1989’. Grain was
threshed on an Allis Chalmers threshing machine owned by Charles
Geiger, Harbor Beach. A saw mill owned by John Bukoski of Ubly,
Michigan was in operation.
Along with the antique equipment on display were approximately
50 flea market exhibitors. Approximately 70 tractors participated
in a tractor pull on Saturday afternoon. Some 70 quilts were on
display in the school gymnasium. Several women volunteered their
time to present a quilting demonstration. On Saturday night, the
Prairie Gold Rush hosted a Pig Roast. Lisa Swartz, Harbor Beach,
Michigan, Miss Prairie Gold 1989, was on hand to greet club members
and guests.
The Tip of the Thumb Dancers hosted a round and square dance in
the high school gym. School students sponsored a breakfast on
Sunday morning. A parade was held Sunday afternoon.
Port Hope’s 4th Annual Show will be held June 29-30, July 1,
1990, featuring Rumely Oil Pulls and Allis Chalmers tractors.
Port Hope, Michigan is a small rural community set on the shores
of Lake Huron in the Thumb of Michigan…as all the village
entrance signs say, ‘Port Hope is the Little Town with the Big
Welcome.’ Therefore, everyone is welcome! Anyone interested in
more information regarding the 1990 show, please feel free to call
Roy Reinke at (517) 428-4838 or Marv Koglin at (517) 428-4160.
