MI – Michigan Flywheelers Antique Engine and Tractor Show

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SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN- Four days filled with parades, music, kids’ activities, demonstrations and hundreds of vintage tractors are on tap for the Michigan Flywheelers Museum’s 43rd annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show, kicking off Thursday, Sept. 10 and running through Sunday, Sept. 13.

   One of the largest events of its kind in the state, the four-day show features collectors displaying a wide assortment of historic farm machinery ranging from massive steam traction engines to classic hit and miss engines.

   “Last year, our exhibitors brought over 600 pieces of equipment,” said Patrick Ingalls, president of the Michigan Flywheelers Museum. “This year, we expect to reach that number as well.”

    Beyond the agricultural displays, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities and family-friendly entertainment including an outdoor flea market, demonstrations at the museum’s sawmill, shingle mill, and blacksmith shop, antique tractor and garden tractor pulls and a consignment auction.

  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 and parades will be held for those children who have access to riding lawn tractors.

Evening entertainment includes a square dance on Thursday, Dance Party with DJ Abel Munoz on Friday and Dewsouth on Saturday. 

    While all those are popular activities, it’s the sweet corn cooked by an antique Nichols and Shepard steam traction engine that a lot of people wait all year for.

“We hear from a lot of our visitors that the first thing they do when they get here is head for the Corn Booth,” says Ingalls.

  Another favorite event during the show is Thursday’s  South Haven Tractor Cruise. This year, the cruise is heading in a different direction. Instead of winding through downtown South Haven, drivers will go south on 68th street, then east on CR 384 to 64th street where they will turn north. After going north to 8th Ave they will turn left and continue to CR 687. At the intersection of 8th Ave and  CR 687 they will turn north ending up at Lake Arvesta Farms for Flywheeler Night. 

   Open to the public, Flywheeler Night will feature special menu items—with a percentage of all sales donated to the museum’s Challenge Grant. Tractor owners can cap off dinner by enjoying live music before returning to the museum.

     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. This is a pet-free event for those paying admission.

    Rustic camping sites for non-exhibitors are available on a first-come basis. Cost is $40 per night and includes admission for two people. Pets are allowed with exhibitors, campers and vendors only. Personal transportation vehicles, such as golf carts, will be charged a $30 registration fee which is good for the entire event. ATVs, dirt bikes, political items and firearms are not permitted. Registration opens on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 8 a.m.

    For more information, contact 269-639-2010, michiganflywheelers@yahoo.com, or Facebook.  A complete show schedule and show information is available at www.michiganflywheelers.org 

    The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is located at 06285 68th Street, two miles east of South Haven.