News File Photo People ride tractors as part of the Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show parade. This year's show starts Friday and runs through Sunday.

ALPENA — This weekend, people from all over Michigan will be able to get up close looks at antique tractors and other machinery from the past during the 42nd Annual Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show at the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club on French Road.

The event, which begins on Friday and wraps up on Sunday, will take visitors on a walk back in time to learn more about how the antiques helped farmers, spearheaded manufacturers, and aided in construction.

People will be able to see many of the tractors in action, as there are live demonstrations throughout the weekend, including sawmill operations, shingle mill, threshing, baling, and rock crushing. There will also be blacksmith work, hand-poured concrete blocks and woodworking demonstrations.

The event kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday with demonstrations, vendors and food, followed by a performance by The Country Poorboys at 8 p.m.

The show picks up steam on Saturday, when the demonstrations continue and a tractor parade circles the grounds at 2:30 p.m. The popular bean soup will be available beginning at 5 p.m. The Country Poorboys again will take the stage at 8 p.m.

Sunday may be the last day of the event, but it is still packed with fun and exciting activities.

Before the participants pack their gear up to head home, a pancake breakfast starts at 9 a.m. and there will be some final demonstrations and a final parade at noon before the event winds down.

Rustic camping is available at the show grounds for only $15 per night for those who want to camp for the weekend.

According to the Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club’s website, the first Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show was held in August 1984 on Rockport Road in Alpena. Fred and Donna Bloom, Jim and Sarah Geddert, Zig and Betty Wojda, and Larry and Chris Duby organized the first show. Larry and Chris Duby provided the land to hold the show while the Blooms, Gedderts, and Wojdas provided the exhibits.

In 1985, the club was incorporated and the annual show has been held ever since, during the second weekend in August. The show was held on Rockport Road until 1992 when the club purchased land on French Road in Alpena Township and began building the current showgrounds.

In 1993, the barn at the club was completed and the working windmill was in place to provide water for the steam engines and the 10th annual show was held at the new showgrounds.

In 2005, the club broke ground for the clubhouse. Both buildings are a testament to the many skills of our members, who built both buildings with many donated materials and heavy machinery. The clubhouse includes a kitchen, bathrooms, large meeting/seating area and a fabulous front porch overlooking the grounds.

Entry into the show is free, but the club does use the proceeds it receives to help improve the club and the show.

According to the club’s website, the club takes pride in the permanent working displays that it has collected and built through its history. The club uses the proceeds from the annual show, membership dues, showground rentals, and donations to continue improving the displays and showgrounds.

The club also attends local events such as the Hillman and Hawks centennials and Posen Potato Festival with working displays to help those communities celebrate their farming heritage. The club has also hosted Boy Scout troops and welcomed disabled adults for special events.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.