2003 Year in Review

Baraboo Steam and Engine Show

After spending 4 days at the Whiteside County Fair, I was ready for a change. Saturday my husband and I headed to Baraboo for the Badger Steam & Gas Engine Show. I’ve been to many shows but this is one of the top shows in the area.

When you go in the gate there is a large flea market to the right. Many of the vendors were selling good quality tools instead of the imported items usually sold at flea markets.

Behind the flea market is a large area of shaded trees where the smaller gasoline engines and some engine models are set up. Around the center area are the food booths, entertainment and the clubs permanent buildings. One building is dedicated to crafters and more flea market items. Another building has a collection of larger engines that members store and show. Some engines are started and kept running, while others are in process of restoration.

My favorite building held tables of miniature models. One particular showstopper was a 1:6 scale Harley Davidson Engine. The machinist's other on going project was a scaled John Deere Tractor. When he finishes it, the tractor will be an exact working duplicate. It’s amazing! Remember there are no plans, no castings, and no kits to make these from.

During some former Baraboo shows we’ve seen antique snow mobiles, but this show had a collection of antique chain saws and lawn tractors.

To the left of the gate going all the way to the back, are tractors; every kind, color, shape, and make. There are too many to even mention.

Members belong from all over Southern Wisconsin, from Racine to Platteville. Originally the show was at Baraboo Fairgrounds, but a few years ago the club purchased land north of Baraboo to have a permanent home.

This is a great show, much better than Freeport, IL and smaller than Mt. Pleasant, IA. It took us 3 hours to get there but worth it if you like tractors of any size. Unfortunately, it runs the same time as the Whiteside County Fair each year.

For more information the Baraboo web site is www.badgersteamandgas.com

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
August 18, 2003