3230 Fontaine Road Columbus, Ohio 43232
Clear skies, 75 degree temperatures, great food and a lot of
‘steam’ made for a memorable 15th annual Clinton County
Corn Festival held September 11, 12, and 13 at the fairgrounds in
Wilmington, Ohio. This festival has been a yearly event since the
Antique Power Club was formed on a cold, rainy November 25th
evening around the kitchen table in Warren Murphy’s home. There
were five original charter members who began the club in 1972:
Warren Murphy, Ralph Eltzroth, Bob Olinger, Maynard Harris and
Donald Haines. Two of the charter members, Bob Olinger and Maynard
Harris have passed away, and Warren Murphy and Donald Haines are
the only two original members still active at the Corn Festival.
Mr. Eltzroth is no longer able to participate physically, but his
presence is still felt. The Antique Power Club now boasts a
membership of over 300, with members as far away as Ft. Myers,
Florida.
The roots of the first Corn Festival started twenty years ago in
the backyard of the Clinton County Historical Society and featured
just a few small, stationary engines. The Festival has grown into a
three day affair that encompasses the entire grounds of the Clinton
County Fairgrounds. There is certainly ‘something for
everyone’ at this outstanding show.
It’s a sure fact that no one could be bored since the three
days were filled with entertaining sights and events to please
every age. Maps and schedules were distributed to make getting
around easier, and so people could keep track of the happenings
around the grounds.
The children were kept busy in the Children’s Corner with
puppet shows, games, face painting, workshops, stories and a
gigantic tug-of-war. The events were fun, safe and well
supervised.
Of course, there were always the steam engines, the Rumely Oil
Pull, the tractors, the Aultman Taylor tractor, the homemade steam
engine built over a three year period by Maxwell Murphy, and the
antique cars to look at. At various times throughout the three days
was the exciting starting and running of the 200 horsepower
Fairbanks Morse engine. In that same area of the grounds were
dozens of stationary engines of different makes and sizes.
At any given time in the Power Club Demonstration Area were
threshing, belting-up contests, corn grinding, straw baling, slow
engine racing and rock crushing that visitors could view while
sitting in the stands under the huge old shade trees. Interspersed
with these demonstrations were some comical contests, such as
watermelon eating, rolling pin and skillet throwing, man and woman
tosses and my personal favorite, the out-house races at the
Saturday night ‘Corn Olympics’.
All over the grounds were a variety of different informative
talks and demonstrations. The Tolliver family made batch after
batch of delicious apple butter in a huge black kettle over an open
fire. Jars were sold as quickly as they were filled. Helpful hints
and shortcuts about quilting were explained in the Floral Hall
where many beautiful quilts were displayed.
There was wheat weaving, pottery making, a dulcimer workshop,
chair caning, and wood carving to name just a very few
demonstrations. A large antique and craft show and a flea market
were enjoyed by all. Abraham Lincoln, alias Bruce Miller, even paid
a visit. The fine youth of Wilmington and surrounding areas
performed at various activities throughout the festivities.
One of the highlights of the three day Corn Festival was the
outstanding parade on Saturday. Tractors, steam engines, horses,
bands, floats and many other participants made for an hour-long
parade. One observer noted that when the beginning of the parade
was heading back into the fairgrounds, the end of the parade was
just leaving.
Every evening was filled with square dancing, bluegrass music
and other bands and entertainment to keep people on the grounds and
eating the never ending variety of wonderful food. And speaking of
food, you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a hot apple
dumpling with homemade ice cream, or the warm cobblers, or fried
cheese and elephant ears. There were also goodies from the
‘Quaker Bakers’ plus many other local proprietors.
Sunday brought the church service, the chicken BBQ dinner, the
draft horse pull, and the antique car show. The antique tractor
parade around the fairgrounds gave visitors one final chance to
view the breathtaking display of antique machinery and to hear a
short description of each one. Prizes and trophies were awarded to
exhibitors at this time. Closing ceremonies were held around the
flagpole and people began loading up to go home, happy, tired,
dusty but full of ideas for the next Corn Festival.
Special thanks go to president Paul Clark and all the members
and officers of the Antique Power Club of Clinton County and the
Clinton County Historical Society for making the 1992 Clinton
County Corn Festival a great success.
Make plans now to join us next year and see the Club’s
newest acquisition, a steam engine that was used as a main engine
for the Proctor and Gamble Company. Donated by the city of
Sharonville, the engine should be ready for viewing at the 1993
Corn Festival. This is one you won’t want to miss next
year.
