Visitors from the area and outside the region had an opportunity to take a walk back in time at an event geared for the entire family at the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association’s Fall Festival October 4 at Scotts Mill County Park.

The non profit group notes on its website the Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association is a passionate group of enthusiasts dedicated to preserving the history of vintage power equipment, antique tractors, and the timeless traditions of farming.

Visitors had plenty of opportunities to learn about tools, tractors, and techniques that built local farming communities years ago at the family oriented event.

While threshing machine and husker and shredder demonstrations were happening in one area of the park, the buzz of a saw blade cutting through large pieces of timber could be heard at the saw mill, with tractors providing the power at both locations.

Two old steam engines drew a crowd of people interested in learning about the old pieces of equipment. 

There was a loom demonstration inside the log cabin where a bake sale was also held. Outside the log cabin visitors could watch items be made on a spinning wheel. 

There were also  hit and miss engine demonstrations.

Besides opportunities to learn about the equipment, there were  plenty of activities for the children as well.

A basketball hoop was attached to a gravity wagon, allowing kids a chance to shoot a basketball through the hoop and quickly retrieve the ball that exited the gravity wagon back towards the shooter.

The popular kiddie wagon was operating all day, a face painting station was popular with the kids and painted rocks were hidden around the grounds for kids to find. 

Families could also take a ride out to the pumpkin patch on a tractor pulled wagon to pick out that special pumpkin.

Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association Vice President Kingsley Perkins said there were 75 tractors on the show grounds.

He said visitors were happy to see how the show has grown and embraced a variety of attractions for kids. A number of demonstrations also brought positive feed back.

“All in all, a great show. It was very successful. We have a wonderful group of members, exhibitors and community behind us,” said Perkins.

Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association member Zach Selby feels it is important to honor the past with educational demonstrations and connect younger people to the roots of agriculture.

“Somebody’s got to do it, right? If we don’t do this, our rural heritage will pass away, along with everybody else. We really need to keep this going. We need to teach people about it, educate people about our history. And not only that, I just think these things are awesome,” said Zach Selby, who was operating a scale model of a larger Case steam engine long time Scotts Olde Tyme Power & Equipment Association member, the late Lee Gibbs gave him. 

Selby emphasized the club wants to educate visitors about tractors, and techniques used many years ago at an event that is family oriented where younger children can learn and have fun.

“We would like to have the whole family involved out here to see all of this stuff. It’s very educational. This isn’t something that you can go and see everywhere,” explained Selby.

“It’s the education aspect. We love to educate people on the old history of this stuff, how it used to work. All of that. It’s for educational purposes. It’s community too. It brings the community together,” adds the Scotts man.

There were many visitors who were enjoying their first Fall Fest event and trip to Scotts Mill County Park.

Twelve year old Liam Jensen of Portage said he enjoyed seeing and learning how the steam engines operate and even had the opportunity to pull the whistle cord.

“I’m learning how they were designed and how they would have this nob to turn up more pressure to make more steam,” said Jensen.

Liam’s grandfather, Leonard Jensen, who was enjoying his first visit to Scotts Mill County Park, felt the show would provide his grandson an opportunity to learn about farming techniques that were used many years ago and have some fun in the process.

“I liked the saw mill and I was watching them do the corn. It’s pretty neat the way they used to do things. I can’t believe standing all day doing that. A lot of hard work. You’ve got to really respect farmers,” said the Pavilion Township resident.

After Gabe Rhoades and his eight year old daughter Hermione took a ride out to the pumpkin patch on a wagon pulled by a tractor, Hermione said she was impressed by the pumpkin selection.

“There’s a lot of good pumpkins,” said the Fulton girl, holding the pumpkin she picked out next to her.

The eight year old said she especially enjoyed the ride out to the pumpkin patch and riding the kiddie train pulled by a riding lawn mower that was operating in the park.
Her father embraced the atmosphere also.

“It’s a good time out here. I love it. I like to be out in the country, have a good time with good people. All of the equipment is fantastic. Showing the way things were,” said Rhoades.

Karla Newton, who was enjoying her first Fall Fest at Scotts Mill Park with her grandchildren, especially enjoyed how the event was geared toward the entire family.

“I love that because it brings us all together to go out and make memories,” said Newton, of Vicksburg.

Devon Mason of Sturgis, who was also enjoying his first visit to Scotts Mill County Park with his two children, said taking his two children to a smaller park to combine some fun with an educational opportunity to learn how older farm equipment operated, was something he enjoyed.

Trevor Thornton, who was enjoying the event with his nephew, said the Fall Fest event is not only fun for children, but it is a good way to connect children to the roots of agriculture and the machinery that was used many years ago.

“It’s always fun to show people who have never seen the tractors out and the machines run,” said the Sturgis man.

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