Returning from the pumpkin patch with their pumpkins at Harvest Fest October 3 are (left to right) Cole, Nicole, and Jaxon Marlowe.
By Bruce Rolfe
It’s easy to see why the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment’s Fall Fest October 2 and 3 at Scotts Mill County Park was appealing to visitors of all ages.
Some visitors were amazed to watch older machinery they had never seen operating before help complete what were regular tasks years ago.
Others who grew up around the old equipment embraced the opportunity to see the old equipment running again.
And younger visitors enjoyed a ride on the kiddie train, games, and a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out that special pumpkin.
It’s easy to see why the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment’s Fall Fest October 2 and 3 at Scotts Mill County Park was appealing to visitors of all ages.
Some visitors were amazed to watch older machinery they had never seen operating before help complete what were regular tasks years ago.
Others who grew up around the old equipment embraced the opportunity to see the old equipment running again.
And younger visitors enjoyed a ride on the kiddie train, games, and a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out that special pumpkin.
80-year-old Phyl Dirks is pictured driving a 1952 Oliver 77 Diesel tractor at Harvest Fest.
Harvest Fest at Scotts Mill County Park once again offered a glimpse back in time and brought families together.
Climax resident Nicole Marlowe, who brought her two sons Jaxon and Cole to the event, said she likes how Harvest Fest combines history with other events geared for the entire family to enjoy.
“It brings community together and it recognizes a tradition that is important to our community,” said Marlowe.
Jaxon said he liked riding on the 3020 tractor that pulled the wagon out to the pumpkin patch and Cole said he liked playing games, eating the food, and going out to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin.
Climax resident Nicole Marlowe, who brought her two sons Jaxon and Cole to the event, said she likes how Harvest Fest combines history with other events geared for the entire family to enjoy.
“It brings community together and it recognizes a tradition that is important to our community,” said Marlowe.
Jaxon said he liked riding on the 3020 tractor that pulled the wagon out to the pumpkin patch and Cole said he liked playing games, eating the food, and going out to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin.
The saw mill was a popular stop for visitors at Harvest Fest.
Ron Elwell (left) and another volunteer are pictured operating the shredder at Harvest Fest October 3 at Scotts Mill County Park.
90-year-old Stuart “Fuzzy” Johnson is pictured with his son Bob Johnson at the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association’s Harvest Fest October 3 at Scotts Mill County Park.
Watching machinery hooked up to straps, pulleys, and fly wheels powered by tractors like he recalled operating when he was young, was fun for 90-year-old Climax resident Stuart “Fuzzy” Johnson to see operating again.
“It brings back a lot of memories. I had my own engines and everything. I used to have six, eight horses. I had a Moline. I had an 11 horse Economy. Ken Bell, he got inside and got everything set. He’d get on the fly wheel on one side and I got on another. That’s the only way we started it. It was a monster,” recalled Johnson.
Johnson said he was glad to see a lot of younger people visiting the County Park for the event take an interest in the old equipment.
“It’s educational to begin with. That’s what I like about it. I think farm boys are always going to be sticking with this stuff, but the city ones, it’s iffy,” adds Johnson.
Whether it was putting on demonstrations at the saw mill, shredder, hale bailer, threshing machine, or in the old log cabin where women were sewing, making quilts or other home made items, volunteers and Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association club members enjoy operating the equipment and educating visitors about the older equipment.
“I just like to watch this old equipment run and see what it did back in the day and it will still do,” said Ron Elwell, who said he has been a club member 30 years.
Elwell said operating the older equipment gives him an appreciation of the amount of work it took for owners to complete regular tasks, that today can be performed much quicker and with less labor.
Elwell said many visitors are interested in what the machinery does since they have never seen it operate before.
“It was certainly a lot more labor intense, compared to what we have now. Nice air conditioned or heated (tractor) cabs,” adds Elwell.
Lee Sherman, who was joined by his two children and parents, said his five-year-old son enjoyed the saw mill.
The Scotts man said he was impressed how the old machinery operated.
“I just like taking the kids out here and seeing the old tractors and stuff,” said Sherman.
There were visitors who have attended Harvest Fest before, and some first time visitors who said they were glad they came to the show.
Cheryl and Dean Kappler of Pennfield, attended the event for the first time with their three grandchildren.
The couple was impressed how multiple pieces of equipment were used simultaneously to perform tasks in the saw mill.
“I’m an engineer. I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s incredible. Very cool,” said Dean, who said he had never seen an old time saw mill operation before.
“All the gears, pulleys, and drive shafts,” adds Cheryl.
Cheryl said she grew up on a farm and has an interest in history. She feels it is important to have resources available to educate and show “how hard people used to work and how clever they were to figure out machinery to help them do their work.”
King Perkins is pictured giving rides in the kiddie train at Harvest Fest.
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