Binding of the wheat part of Steam & Gas Engine Show traditions

Volunteers with the Essex County Steam & Gas Museum helped with the binding of the wheat July 22 using a 104-year-old binder. The group gathered for a photo after harvesting the wheat (left) while the wheat was removed with the antique binder (below). The club presents the Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Show Aug. 14-16 at Co-An Park in McGregor.

The Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Show is coming up Aug. 14-16 but another tradition continued last week to prepare for it.

About 15 members of the Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Museum gathered at an Amherstburg field owned by Tony and Yvonne Simon to remove wheat with an antique tractor and a 104-year-old binder. The binder was donated to the club a number of years ago by member Morris Kurzuk of Amherstburg.

The wheat harvested from the field at the corner of Middle Side Road and Concession 5 North will be used in the threshing machine when it is demonstrated at the show.

Museum president Gary Struhar said plans are still being finalized and the schedule is in the process of being of completed.

“Case Tractors are the show’s feature,” said Struhar.

The show used to be held on the second weekend in August but has been moved back as organizers are trying to avoid conflicts with other events in the region. Struhar said they were the same weekend as the Comber Fair in recent years but they are trying not to compete with them this year.

Entertainment will be held at the park both Saturday and Sunday with Sarah Parks Horsemanship to be on site with pony rides on Saturday. The tractor parade is scheduled Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. and will head south down Walker Road from St. Clement Church to Concession 11 and then into the park.

There will also be a variety of children’s activities, a display from Military Muster, the Windsor RC Race Club and more, though Struhar pointed out the schedule hasn’t been finalized yet.

“We promote the kids. Kids are the future,” said Struhar.

The Carl Smith Sawmill is expected to be up and running so people can view demonstrations on it.

Students are welcome to come out and earn volunteer hours during the three-day show.

“Get your hours in and enjoy yourself too,” said Struhar.

For more information about the show, visit www.essexsteamandgasengine.com or www.facebook.com/EssexCountySteamandGasMuseum. 

Binding of the wheat part of Steam & Gas Engine Show traditions

By Ron Giofu