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MI – Michigan Flywheelers Antique Engine and Tractor Show
September 5 – September 8
Four days filled with parades, entertainment, kids activities, demonstrations and of course – hundreds of old tractors are all on tap for the Michigan Flywheelers Museum’s 41st annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show that begins Thursday, Sept. 5.
Billed as one of the largest shows of its kind in the state, the four day event, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 8, features collectors displaying a wide assortment of old farm machinery from huge steam traction engines to vintage tractors.
“Last year, our exhibitors brought over 800 pieces of equipment,” said Patrick Ingalls, museum president. “This year, we expect to reach that number as well.”
Adding to the count will be Empire Tractor Club which will be holding its annual expo during the show. Close to two dozen Empire tractors will be on display owned by collectors as far away as Canada.
Another special activity on the schedule is a railroad track laying demonstration. Scheduled for 10 a.m on Saturday, volunteers, who have been working all summer on the 15 inch track, will show how the wooden ties are spaced, rail bolted down and ballast applied. The plan is to fire up the historic Hanson Express grand scale locomotive that was donated to the museum in 2022, and use it to pull the ballast car along the rail that is already laid.
This will be the second time in the last 50 years that the former House of David engine has been ran. The museum did a test run of the train last year.
There’s also plenty to see besides old farm equipment. A large outdoor flea market, working displays at the sawmill, shingle mill and blacksmith shop, and tractor pulls are just a few of the activities that will take place.
Other activities include the Thing-A-Ma-Jig parade, consignment auction and more.
“We have a full schedule of activities,” says Ingalls. “We pride ourselves on making this a family-friendly event with plenty of things to do for the kids as well.”
Saturday is considered “Kid’s Day” at the show. Activities start with a Kiddies Pedal Pull at noon, a sawdust pile treasure hunt at 3:30 p.m. and the John Dudley Magic Show at 7 p.m. Tractor games will be held for those children who have access to riding lawn tractors.
Evening entertainment include Black River Band on Friday and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) on Saturday. Karaoke will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well.
One of the popular activities for young and old is the “South Haven Tractor Cruise.” Scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, participants drive tractors of all makes and models into downtown South Haven, cruise South Beach, and then stop for dinner.
Gates open at 8 a.m. rain or shine. Admission is $10. Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult admission. Thursday is Senior’s Day and admission is $5 for those 62 and over. On Sunday, admission is only $5 for adults. This is a pet-free event for those paying admission.
Rustic camping sites are available on a first-come basis. Cost is $20 per night plus daily admission per person. Pets are allowed with exhibitors, campers and vendors only. Personal transportation vehicles, such as golf carts, will be charged a $20 registration fee. ATVs, dirt bikes and firearms are not permitted.
For more information, contact 269-639-2010, michiganflywheelers@yahoo.com, or Facebook. A complete show schedule is available at www.michiganflywheelers.org
The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is located at 06285 68th Street, two miles east of South Haven.
Schedule of Activities (subject to last minutes changes)
