The public’s interest in tractors, antiques, and machinery was not lost due to the pandemic, as the 44th annual Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc. was all engines go on Saturday in Pulaski County. Indiana.
The Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc. show began Thursday, July 15, and will wrap up on Sunday, July 18. Last year, the show was canceled due to the pandemic, so many annual attendees and volunteers were happy to be back at the Winamac Town Park, where the antique power show is held annually.
Ron McCord has been a part of the Power From the Past for more than 20 years. McCord travels to different festivals with his tractors. He and his wife, Karen, also sell decor and antiques. McCord’s smile was wide as he talked about being at the festival and those who have enjoyed a chance to ride one of his tractors.
“We go to these festivals to watch and talk,” McCord said. “I tell people that they need to go to this show in Winamac. They have everything. It’s clean. If you don’t like this, you don’t need to be going to other shows.”
McCord is from Anderson, Indiana and travels to Winamac to enjoy the show and catch up with other club members.
“That’s what it’s all about,” McCord said.
Each year, the show features a specific brand of tractors and equipment. This year the Minneapolis Moline tractors and equipment were part of the attraction, along with various demonstrations, food and flea market vendors, games, and entertainment.
“This is about seeing all the people. There is a lot of people that I only get to see here once a year,” said Bob Smith. “The show is about making everyone feel welcome.”
Smith was one of the founding members of the organization and has been a part of the show every year. Smith said the show was small when it started years ago but has grown to the size that it is today.
Each year hundreds of people volunteer their time for the show, according to Smith. He noted the amount of work accomplished before the show can be overwhelming, but it is always a success.
“What has been nice to see this year is the number of young people helping this year. That’s what it takes to make this show happen,” Smith said.
Smith said the show has been a major part of his life. He and his wife, Christine Smith, the show's co-founder, would collect antiques and machinery. The two would attend several other shows and invite people to the Power From the Past.
This year held special meaning for many of the officers, directors, advisors, and volunteers. The club lost two long-time volunteers, Jerry Scott and Christine Smith, since the last show in 2019. The two were remembered as part of the program.
Another highlight of the show was the announcement of the Power From the Past scholarship winners. Power From the Past President Jon Crist announced the 2020 winners: Coy Field, Winamac Community High School graduate, and Jenna Cords, West Central High School graduate, and the 2021 winners: Miranda Thompson, West Central High School graduate, and Josh Havron, Culver Community High School graduate.
Crist also announced the Power From the Past Youth Achievement Award winner. The board chooses a student volunteer who has shown a willingness to help. This year, Carter Field was the recipient of the award. He was surprised, but grateful that he was receiving it.
Carter Field said he started helping with the event because of his friend, and he has enjoyed working with the volunteers and the board ever since.
“They are really nice people,” Carter Field said.
He said his favorite part of the show is when it begins because it’s a chance to show people what was accomplished.
The Northern Indiana Power from the Past, Inc. show will continue tomorrow, July 18 at Winamac Town Park. For more information about the show, visit their site at https://www.winamacpowershow.com/.
