I’m the type of person who is constantly looking for an experience that will produce an excellent tale to share. With the many cancellations of 2020 and not much opportunity to immerse myself in the gas engine community, I’m excited for the opportunities the summer of ’21 will present.
Hopefully by the time this reaches you, swap meet and show season will be in full swing and everything will be taking place as scheduled — without a cloud in the sky to mar the event. If you’re in need of a handy resource to point you towards a show in your area, the 2021 Farm Collector Show Directory is the guide for you. As plans may change, be sure to check with the planners to see that things are kicking off as intended.
If you’re like me and are looking for fascinating attractions and one-of-a-kind experiences, I have the inside scoop on a huge one you won’t want to miss. How huge you ask? Approximately 150 tons and 1,000hp.
Turn to the Farm Collector Show Directory, and you’ll find the Prairie Homestead 31st Annual Antique Power Show to be held in Belmond, Iowa, on August 20 to 22 by the Belmond Area Arts Council. This year, the show is receiving a major attraction, a 1939 1,000hp Corliss engine that will travel nearly 100 miles from the Central Hawkeye Gas Engine and Tractor Association in Waukee, Iowa. If things go according to plan, eight semi-truck trailers and a crane will be utilized to move the massive engine to its new home in Belmond. Oh, to be a fly on the dashboard of one of those trucks!
While the engine won’t be up and running in time for the show, I still plan to make an appearance to photograph this enormous source of power and get more details to share in a future issue of Gas Engine Magazine. Another detail of note for this specific show; they will be featuring Monitor gas engines, so if your collection includes a Monitor (or two, or three, or four …), load ’em up and meet me at the fairgrounds. All other brands are more than welcome, of course. I’ll be looking to get my story fix and snap some photos of your collections.
