UAWLocal No. 662, 2025 Hillcrest Drive, Anderson, Indiana
46012
Cool weather, warm smiles; dark clouds, bright colors; rainy
weather, hearty spirits; put all these together and you have
UAWLocal662’s 13th annual Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show,
held June 6-8 in Anderson, Indiana.
Exhibitors began arriving Thursday, and the sun shone brightly
on the glistening relics of yesteryear. This year’s featured
product line was John Deere tractors and equipment, and a massive
wave of green and yellow filled the grounds.
Friday, as the dreary weather moved in, so did the craft and
flea market vendors. Over fifty vendors displayed their talents and
wares. Also on Friday, the annual fish fry was held, which was very
much a success. This year’s dinner was served by members of the
Eden United Methodist Church in Eden, Indiana. The highlight of the
dinner was the vast array of homemade desserts! Over 500 dinners
were enjoyed!
Saturday, as the show was in full swing, many different
activities were enjoyed. Even though John Deere was the featured
product line, many other exhibits were shown. Numerous gas engines,
old farm tools, model trains, farm toys, antique cars and trucks,
hog oilers, etc., were among the many items to be seen. Even the
mournful siren of John and Michelle Blake’s 1954 International
Harvester fire truck would catch people by surprise!
Throughout the intermittent rain Bob Rhea was taking the
children for rides in ‘Bob’s Bumpy Barrels.’ Dan and
Barb Davis were kind enough to once again share their fabulous
Anderson History Museum, featuring products that were manufactured
in Anderson.
Saturday the White River Country and Bluegrass Club entertained
with a music show. Seven bands participated. Bluegrass, gospel,
folk, and country music was enjoyed. Also some high-stepping
clogging had hands clapping and toes tapping.
Once again we were happy to welcome the ladies of the Spring
Valley Quilt Guild demonstrating fine stitching talents at their
quilting bee. Many-people came by and stopped to share quilt
stories from their personal lives.
Mrs. Betty Shores of Greenfield, Indiana, was entered in this
year’s craft show, displaying her fine sewing talents. Betty
has participated in all thirteen shows.
We also welcomed Mrs. Helen Tompkins and her helper and friend,
Mary Lou, from Daleville, Indiana. Helen had her vast collection of
emblem pins for sale. It is believed that she has the largest
collection that is for sale in the United States, featuring over
10,000. They are of every kind of hobby, vocation, or subject
imaginable.
There were 14 states represented, 42 union locals, 125 gas
engines, and 55 tractors. Lloyd and Jackie Mardikian of Buffalo,
Minnesota, won the Long Haul Award for gas engines, and Lee
Robishaw of Ashtabula, Ohio, won the Long Haul Award for tractors.
People’s Choice Award for John Deere tractors was won by Gene
Broyles of Anderson.
Even though the weather didn’t cooperate, the enthusiasm of
our ever-faithful volunteers, Jack, Carol, and John Davidson, and
Helen Bennett, reminded everyone what our show is about good
conversation, friends, sharing, and enjoying life. Maybe Mrs. Laura
Hudson, one of our talented artists, summed it up best. As she was
closing her booth she commented, ‘This is my favorite show. I
really have fun here. I wish it was next year already!’ So do
we, Laura!
We would like to thank everyone who participated and attended
our show, and invite you to attend next year’s show. The dates
are June 5-7, 1998. Mark your calendar and plan to attend the show
where old and new friends meet.
