Tour to Portland Tractor and Steam Show

By Este Scheve

Many, many Flathead Ford V-8s gathered in the Walmart parking lot in Auburn, Indiana on the morning of Saturday August 24 to meet for the drive to Portland for the Tractor and Steam show.  This was the first planned activity of the 2019 Central National Meet. We were led in groups by knowledgeable drivers to our destination at the Jay County Fair Grounds and our own special parking area.  The routes lead us through some interesting small towns and through Amish/Mennonite farm areas about 75 miles away.  We later found out that we were part of the show!

The show consisted of many hit and miss engines, old garden tractors and large farm tractors in all  stages of rust, repair or restoration. I think the stars of the show were the steam engine tractors and accessories.  They gave demonstrations of blacksmithing and sawmilling and there was a tractor pull going on in the stadium.  Included in this was what you might call a swap/flea market with items for sale. You could find things like old garden and farm tools along with household items for collectors and booths with old tractor repair manuals and some parts. Plus there were new things being sold to tempt every purse.   The show started on Wednesday August 21st with the last day being the day we came which was Saturday.  People were there from all over the country to display their tractors. 

There was plenty to eat!  I think every service group and church in town had a booth selling something to eat along with some commercial stands.  My favorites were an elephant ear from a local church at the bargain price of $3.50 and ice cream being sold by a sorority that was very tasty.  As the day wore on, the sun became very hot and some went back to their cars, parked in the shade, to talk to people there who were admiring our cars.  It was a long, tiring day, but very worthwhile and interesting.