Old Engine Show is living history

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

SCOTTVILLE — There is nothing quite like the sound of the exhaust of a John Deere 2-cylinder tractor. It’s a sound I have heard all my life, as my dad is an avid collector and restorer of antique John Deere tractors. We’re talking over 30 of them, most in nearly mint condition. They aren’t museum pieces, though. He likes to tell people that the only time they looked new was when he got done painting them. Other than that, they go out in the field and they are working machines.

Some of his tractors will be on display beginning today through Sunday during the Western Michigan Old Engine Club Show. Located at the Scottville Riverside Park, this is the 40th year of the show. The show is living history, a great educational and entertainment experience for all ages.

It’s also much more than just tractors (though there will be a lot of tractors). It will also be a working sawmill, grain threshing, steam engines, corn shelling and grinding, among many other activities.

Getting back to those tractors, they will be on parade around the show grounds Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. During the parade, announcer Bruce Patterson is able to provide commentary and trivia about each tractor and its owner. Various tractor pulls will also be held throughout the show including a farm tractor pull today at 2 p.m., garden tractor pulls Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. and another tractor pull Sunday at 10 a.m.

Entrance to the show is a nominal fee but goes to preserving this rich history. Riverside Park is located on South Main Street along the banks of the Pere Marquette River.