When it began in 1995, the Power of the Past Antique Tractor and
Engine Show in Ottawa, Kan., was small, to say the least. The
number of tractors and gas engines at the show in those early days
was barely enough to fill a baseball diamond.
But considering Ottawa’s place in gas engine history as the home
of Warner Mfg. Co. until the 1950s, it was only a matter of time
before old iron enthusiasts started recognizing Power of the Past
as a show worth attending.
“The tractors bring the people but we’ve been trying to show
people that this is a good show for gas, too,” says Alan Stark,
who’s been attending the show for several years. “It’s really grown
the last five years.”
Now, the gas engines have outgrown the baseball diamond in
Forest Park and are now situated in a spacious grove of trees next
to the tractors. “It’s a beautiful park,” says Alan. “We love it
here – they treat us very well.”
And while the show is getting bigger year to year, it has still
managed to maintain the intimate appeal that collectors like Alan
appreciate. “We’re a close knit family here,” says Alan of his
fellow exhibitors. “You get to know people and become good friends
even though you might only see them once or twice a year. Sometimes
at the bigger shows, you lose that.”
The 14th Annual Power of the Past Antique Tractor and Engine
Show takes place Sept. 12-14 at Forest Park in Ottawa, Kan. The
features this year are Allis-Chalmers tractors and Maytag engines.
Visit www.powerofthepast.com for more information.
Contact Christian Williams at:
cwilliams@gasenginemagazine.com
