Greer said the past five years has brought a resurgence of interest to the show. He said part of this is fueled by having a different tractor make featured each year which attracts regional and national groups. Massey being highlighted this year, for example, is attracting the Massey Expo of North America and Massey Collectors of Illinois.
There is also an increase in the number of steam machines. For several years the numbers were in decline because of the cost of maintaining the massive boilers on steel wheels.
“We will have 15-20 stream engines this year,” he said. “Last year we had 30 because Case (a prominent steam machine maker) was featured.
“Steam engines are making a comeback. A lot of guys got out of it because of the cost. One machine was just restored for $50,000. Now, their children have gone out and made good money at good jobs and want to keep up the tradition their dad’s started,” he added.
A quilt exhibit returns this year after several years in hiatus. It will be held Friday and Saturday at the home of the Illinois Rural Heritage Museum future site just north of the fairgrounds.
Daily events include:
- Aug. 18: Draft horse pull, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 19: Tractor parade through town, 5 p.m.; antique tractor pull, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 20: ITPA tractor pull, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 21: Pedal tractor pull, 10 a.m.; ITPA tractor pull, 7 p.m.
- Aug. 22: Antique car show all day; Antique car parade, 3 p.m.
Daily exhibitions include blacksmithing, miniature steam engine, wheat threshing, horse plowing, veneer milling and more. Admission is $7, children 12 and under free. There are separate admission charges for grandstand events.
(Pictured below: Mary Greer is helping to organize a quilt exhibit during the show. The quilt shown will be raffled off to raise money for the Illinois Rural Heritage Museum)
