POWER SHOW RETURNS TO MENNO THIS WEEKEND

JEREMY WALTNER – PUBLISHER

There’s a good chance of rain, but Daniel Harnisch is hopeful the Pioneer Power Show will go on mostly as planned when it returns to Pioneer Acres on the north edge of Menno this weekend. The 37th annual throwback to steam and all that goes with it is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24; rain is in the forecast for Saturday, with a lesser chance again on Sunday.

“It would hinder things some, but we’ll still do as much as we can,” said Harnisch, president of the Menno Pioneer Heritage Association responsible for putting on the show. “As long as it’s not raining really hard, most things will continue as planned.”

He said that will hopefully include one of the highlights of the show — the antique car and tractor parade scheduled for noon on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Harnisch said that some of the live demonstrations may have to be suspended if the weather does not cooperate.

“We’ll just have to see,” he said.

Things are scheduled to get rolling by 9 a.m. on Saturday, with steam power on full display through those live demonstrations from 10:30 a.m. to noon and again from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday will once again be marked by a pancake and sausage feed courtesy of the Menno Community Club from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Live demonstrations are scheduled to resume from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. that day.

This year’s show features Case tractors and vehicles and Fairbanks Engines.

The grounds of Pioneer Acres will be alive with other activities, as well, whether it’s inside the historic buildings, at the toy show and flea market, or — new this year — the six musical acts that will feature country, bluegrass, gospel and classic rock.

Roy King will play inside on the stage of the Steam Building from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

All other live music will be held in the Big Red Barn:

On Saturday, Paul Cozin will play from 10 a.m. to noon; Elaine Peacock from 1 to 3 p.m.; and Sue Dick, Larry Waltner, John Hauk and Terry Walter from 3 to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Jackie and Myron Kubal will be featured from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by the Jessica and Peter Fries Family from 3 to 5 p.m., when the Power Show winds down for another year.

Also new this year will be a Steam Engine Spark Show at dark on Saturday — weather permitting.

Dave Mensch, who was instrumental in establishing the Power Show in 1987, said the spark show is scheduled to be held in the northeast area of Pioneer Acres and “is quite impressive and gets a lot of ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhhs.’”

One other note regarding this year’s show:

While those with mobility limitations are permitted to use recreational vehicles — golf carts, ATVs, etc. — on the grounds of Pioneer Acres during the Power Show, all others are prohibited unless a recreational vehicle permit is obtained first.

A permit may be obtained with proper documentation at the main gate.

Those without a permit will not be allowed on the grounds — a new policy put in place two years ago that will be strictly enforced beginning in 2023.

Sept. 23-24 schedule of events

Times approximate & subject to change. See specific areas for exact times.

Saturday

• 8 a.m. – Registration
• 9 a.m. – Flea Market & Toy Show Open; Equipment Operators Safety Mtg.
• 10:30 a.m.-Noon – Corn Shelling & Shredding, Hay Demonstrations, Steam Threshing, Steam Engine Plowing; Sawmill Start-up
• 1 a.m. – Children’s games open (watch for early opening)
• Noon – Antique car & Tractor Parade
• 1:30 p.m. – Money Pile for Children
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Corn Shelling & Shredding, Hay Demonstrations, Steam Threshing, Steam Engine Plowing; Sawmill Start-up
• 3 p.m. – Antique Tractor Pull & Mini Rod Pull
• At Dark – Steam Engine Spark Show (weather permitting)

Sunday

• 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Pancake Breakfast/Lunch Sponsored by Menno Community Club
• 8:30 a.m. – Exhibitors/Workers Church Service
• 9 a.m. – Flea Market & Toy Show Open
• 11 a.m. Children’s games open
• 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Hay Demonstrations, Steam Threshing, Steam Engine Plowing, Sawmill Start-up
• 1 p.m. – Ladies Nail-Driving Contest – Sponsored by Menno Lumber Co.
• 1:15 p.m. – Children’s Pedal Pull
• 1:45 p.m. – Bale Throwing Contest
• 3 p.m. – Antique Car & Tractor Parade
• Following Parade – Freedom Raffle and 50/50 Drawing, Pickup and Exhibitor Tractor Pull