Caney Valley Antique Power Association’s 16th Annual Tractor and Engine show “Pioneer Days” is about to begin.

This years Pioneer Days show- May 29, 30 & 31 - will take place on our grounds 3 1/2 miles north of Caney on Highway 75, ½ mile north of the 75 and 166 overpass junction.  We have modern bathroom facilities, club house, consessions stand and a pavillion. There will be a lot of working exhibitions, both powered and not powered.  Please come and step back in time with us and enjoy as many of these special events and festivities that you can. 

Our club has a rather large membership, dedicated to preserving history whether it is in stories, rebuilding machines, or restoring small farm hand operated tools.  You will be able to see various types and styles of restored grinding machines, rope machines, stock equipment, water pumps, gas engines, and a whole host of tractors, which members in our club have some of the rarest that have been seen in our area.

We have several members that collect this farm memorabilia so it can be kept alive for future generations.  A lot of these small shellers, grinders, etc. when they become of no use tend to get thrown away.  That means that our history is being thrown away, so that is why most of our club members like to acquire these special pieces of history and preserve them so that many future generations can actually witness history first hand. 

By no means are we a new club.  However, before the club started officially, several events led up to the forming the club.  In 1995 Dick Rolls SR. asked Bill Ernest to bring some tractors up for the Caney Mayfest Tractor Pull he was sponsoring.  Bill and JoAnne asked some friends to come with them.  They had a nice little show.  Later in 1995, the same group was asked to bring tractors to town for the fall Train Tour that the city had organized with the zoo.  1996 Mayfest was rained out so the tractor pull & show was rescheduled for the 4th of July on Dick Rolls’ property.    The Rolls family has continued to sponsor the tractor pull for us several years since.

In 1997, there was another show held for Caney Mayfest but we did organize the club in the fall of this year.   The first president was Bill Ernest, vice president was Harold Allen, treasurer was Joann Ernest, secretary was Sue Allen, activities and membership director was Terry Brown.  The charter member roll included:  Curtis & Susan Allen, Harold & Virgie Allen, Burt Anger, Steve Baker, John & Leslie Brooks, Terry & June Brown, David Bycroft, Harold Click, John Durst, Bill & JoAnne Ernest, Bill Ferrell, Edith Brown, Doyle & Wilba Gorby, JD Gorby, Lawrence (Red) & Ann Hamilton, Jeff & Thelma Meade, Leon Meade, Harold & Geraldine Pitman, EL & Ann Randolph, and Dean Terry.   We have current members active all year round.

Not only with monthly meetings, they also promote exhibit in area towns, participate in many area parades, and attend shows held nationwide.  In 1998, we started choosing a tractor to feature each year.  1998 was International.  We also changed our show grounds to the high school property because the growth of our show.  1999 featured the Allis, 2000 we featured the John Deere. In 2001 the Orphans tractor was featured and we moved the show grounds to the industrial park for more room. In 2002, we featured the Oliver and this year we purchased the 40 acres for a permanent home show grounds.  However, the 2003 show that featured Ford was still held that the Industrial park.  Our 2004 feature will be the Case tractor and Fairbanks Morse Engines and will be held on the new show grounds located 3 ½ mile north of Caney on highway 75.

Please come out and you will be surprised as to how many of the original members we listed are still active club members who will be more than happy to introduce you to other club members and give you directions to points of interest all over the show grounds so you don’t miss anything.

In the past, we have featured many working crafters/demonstrators.   We are always looking for anyone interested in demonstrating a craft old or new.   We have seen some of the best wood carvers demonstrating their crafts.  We have a very experienced broom making shop using all original type tools.  Another very interesting shop to visit is the blacksmith shop. We have seen everything from horseshoe nails turned into spoons , railroad spikes turned into knives, and tools of all types made.  We even got to personally witness a blacksmith welding at last year’s show.  Our hats go off to our very talented and experienced blacksmiths.  We have also seen some of the best yarn spun at our show.  All of the individuals that I have saw spinning wool have been very friendly and knowledge about their craft and love to answer questions and show you their piece of history. 

Please stop by all of our crafters/demonstrators and enjoy from them all.  We have had flint knapping, blacksmithing, saw mill and other crafts that I do apologize for not calling them by name.  They are all very important to the show and us. 

This year’s show is sure to top them all.  Our grounds allow more campers to have access to utilities and modern restrooms.   Any suggestion that you may have to make your stay more comfortable at the upcoming shows please visit with a show officer and we will do all we can in the future to make this show one of the most comfortable family friendly and safe events in this area.

We have many, many events planned.   Our thrashing machine, rock crusher, and plowing and wheat binder should be up in full swing. 

Lets not forget that we have one of the largest flea markets of this kind in our area.   With over 90 booths last year the flea market offers everything from new shoes, sock, tools, furniture to unique crafts, collectibles, some things old, useful and some things nobody knew what they were.  It is possible to find original tools that may have came with your tractor to the last piece you need to get the old Maytag engine to run.   We are proud to say that we have had a very high volume of obsolete engine and tractor parts available at our flea market/swap meet.

Please don’t forget the parade of power, tractor pulls, children’s kiddie tractor pull, opening and closing ceremonies with the boy scouts, and public auction on Saturday afternoon.

For more information please contact Bill or JoAnne Ernest 879-2918 or email beje@wildblue.net or Terry Brown 289-4351 or email oxuneer@hotmail.com but most of all visit our web site at www.cvapa.com.

This article written by Rusty Nutt (the Rope Maker) for CVAPA