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Jim Homann of Fort Atkinson parks a 1937 Fordson tractor, owned by George Perkovich of Eau Claire, during Thursday’s setup of theStaff photo by Dan Lyksatt30th Annual Pioneer Days antique and classic tractor show. The three*day event features tractor pulls and threshing demonstrations.Collectors pursue their antique hobbies at Pioneer DaysBy Dan LyksettLeader-Telegram staffGeorge Perkovich’s first tractor — a 1926 Fordson — was already old when his father bought it for him in 1940 from a cannery in Eau Claire. He’s still got it and it still runs: Now it’s a classic.“I’ve got about 14 (antique) tractors now, and that Model T truck over there is mine too,” Perkovich said Thursday as he readied some of his equipment for competition and display at the 30th Annual Pioneer Days celebration at Pioneer Park near Eau Claire.“I think that first one got me started — it kind of gets in your blood,” he said. “A lot of people grew up around this kind of equipment so it means something special to them.’A mechanic and trucker by trade, Perkovich has pursued his antique tractor hobby through29 of the 30 Pioneer Days celebrations.“I didn’t hear about the first one until it was almost over,” he said. “Otherwise I’d have been there too.”Most of the antique and classic tractors, steam engines and other equipment featured at the show are restored and work, which means many of them are frequently up and running rather than on display.If You GoWhat: 30th Annual Pioneer Days, featuring operating antique and classic tractors and steam engiienginesWhere: Pioneer Park along Highway 37 just south of Eau Ctaire. Parkentrance is located one-quarter mile north of the new highway 37-85 interchange.When: Today through Sunday. Gates open at 7 a.m. How much: $3 per person, free to children 12 and under.For example, Perkovich and Jim Homann of Fort Atkinson were to team up today on two of Perkovich’s antiques for a twin-tractor pull event, where two antiuue tractors combine like a team of horses to pull a weighted sled.“We took a first place last year, so we decided to give it another try this year,” saidHomann, who himself owns more than 100 antique and classic tractors.An individual tractor pull will be held Saturday starting at noon, while a “Parade of Power” is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Sunday. In the “Parade of Power, each piece of equipment is driven past a grandstand while an announcer describes its origin and the detailsof its restoration.On both Saturday and Sunday various other classic gas- and steam-powered equipment will demonstrate threshing, plowing and nay pressing at various times.“The demonstrations are fun; it’s a chance to see how things were done in the old days,” said Dale Hays, president of the Chippewa Valley Antique Engine and Model Club, whicf sponsors the event.He said an antique sawmill also will be in operation.This year’s show highlights Allis-Chalmers tractors, with both the oldest model and the last Allis ever built before the factory closed ir 1985, among the more than 40 models on display.In addition to the machinery displays and demonstrations, the Pioneer Park site also has food and beer tents, a flea market and displays of other antique items like washing machines.
Newspaper Details
Eau Claire Leader Telegram
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, US
Fri, Aug 13, 1993
Page 1
Full Page
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NA, 19 Aug 2021
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