MT. HOPE – Steam engines, antique tractors, threshing machines and more will soon be rolling into Mt. Hope for the 30th annual Holmes County Steam and Engine Show.
“This may be our biggest show yet,” said HCSEA President Melvin Wengerd. “The $10,000 purse featured for our Thursday evening horse pull is the largest in the state and always attracts some of the greatest pulling teams around. A big thank you to Kaufman Realty/JR Miller for their sponsorship.”
The 30th annual three-day event will be held on the Mt. Hope Auction Grounds/Holmes County Event Center in Mt. Hope. Dates are Thursday, Aug. 4; Friday, Aug. 5; and Saturday, Aug. 6.
Highlights include Thursday’s horse pull, Friday’s tractor pull and Saturday’s garden tractor and mini rod pull. There will be threshing and sawmill demonstrations, tractor games and Saturday’s finale drawing for the pedal tractor. The event offers daily activities for children, including a pedal tractor pull, a money scramble and arts and crafts workshops.
Each year features a brand and make of tractor, with 2022 the year of John Deere. Next year highlights Minneapolis Moline.
According to Wengerd, one of the newest events, the tractor tour of Holmes County, has quickly become a favorite.
“Our first tour had about 30 tractors. We expect that to double this year,” he said.
To complete the 90-minute tour on schedule, tractors must be able to travel at least 10 mph.
“This year’s tour will head south and east of Mt. Hope, some truly beautiful back roads to discover,” Wengerd said.
Board member and treasurer Roy Miller mentioned “live entertainment both Thursday and Friday evenings at 5 p.m.” HCSEA regularly invites local bands going into the evening events.
Miller said, “Friday’s Steam Engine Spark Show at dusk is a must-see. It’s better than fireworks and never disappoints.”
The Holmes County Steam & Engine Association held its first summer show in 1993 at an Amish farm near Berlin, Ohio. From an early membership of 80 members, the association has now grown to over 400 members and boasts over 12,000 paid admissions at its most recent show.
The event closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, visit hcsea.com or follow the group on Facebook.
