×

Antique tractors plow into Alpena this weekend

Courtesy Photo This provided photo shows some of the Massey-Harris engines from Earl Jarvis’ collection, which will be featured this weekend at the 35th Annual Alpena Antique Tractor & Steam Engine Show.

ALPENA — A journey back in time is only a few miles away this weekend at the 35th Annual Alpena Antique Tractor & Steam Engine Show.

The show takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6850 French Road in Alpena. It will feature antique tractor displays and daily live demonstrations of sawmilling, shingle milling, threshing, baling, rock crushing, blacksmithing, hand-pouring cement, and woodworking, all done with the same techniques and equipment used more than a century ago.

To celebrate the show’s 35th year, organizers are offering free admission to everyone.

“We wanted to show our appreciation for all the support from the community,” said club secretary Angela Krajniak. “Anyone who hasn’t been out can come out and see what we’re doing.”

This year, the show is featuring a special collection for the first time: The Massey-Harris collection of Earl Jarvis of Alpena.

Jarvis started his collection by restoring his father’s Model 30 Massey-Harris, purchased new in 1951.

“After I retired, I wanted something to do,” said Jarvis, 80. He retired in 1996 after 40 years of traversing the Great Lakes on freighters for Huron Portland Cement (HPC), which is now called Lafarge.

He and his son, Doug Jarvis, do much of the restoration work together.

“I like tearing them apart, cleaning them and putting them back together,” Earl Jarvis said. “Sometimes it takes the better part of a year-and-a-half to do it right.”

Eight fully restored Massey-Harris engines, as well as his 1948 Model D Leader tractor, will be on display at the show.

Gates open at 9 a.m. each day. A flea market will run daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday will feature live acoustic country music and yodeling from 3 to 5 p.m. by Uncle Bill Kelley, and live acoustic music by Music 4 You from 7 to 10 p.m.

Saturday features a chicken dinner at 1 p.m., tractor parade at 2:30 p.m., and live music by KopyKatz from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday features a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m., tractor parade at 2:30 p.m., and homemade bean soup at 3:30 p.m. Primitive camping is available on the grounds for $10 per day.

For a full list of events, visit alpenaantiquetractor.com. For more information, call 989-358-0380 or email alpenatractor@gmail.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today