For 13 years the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, in
association with the Front Range Antique Power Association (FRAPA),
has hosted Pikes Peak Antique Machinery Days. The event takes place
on the museum’s lush 40-acre site, just north of Colorado
Springs. The show is one of the largest of its kind in the state of
Colorado, and features over 200 antique tractors, gas and steam
engines, and related equipment. In addition to the fully
operational equipment, exhibitors compete in a tractor pull, and
the museum demonstrates its steam shovel, air trammers and stamp
mill. The visitation for this three-day event exceeds 2,000
people.
Additional activities include an antique car show,
children’s activity center, and traditional crafters and
demonstrations such as blacksmithing. The museum’s blacksmith
shop is fully operational and their finished products are sold in
the museum gift shop. All of the regular museum tours of working
steam engines, gold-panning and hands-on mineral display are
included in the admission price for the day.
FRAPA was founded in 1982 to preserve an older way of life and
to honor the farmers of days gone by, and the group has grown
tremendously throughout the state of Colorado. Pikes Peak Antique
Machinery Days are held every year the second weekend of June. This
year’s show dates are June 11-13, 1999.
