STOCKTON?- The 38th annual Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Show was held Aug. 17-19 at the sponsoring Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Association grounds in Stockton. This year's show featured the half-century old Leader tractor made in Ohio. Fourteen of these rare tractors and two Brockways, made by the same family, were shown. The show doubled as a meeting and annual show for the national Leader Tractor Club.
Additionally 98 tractors of other makes, 45 garden tractors, 50 stationary engines, 25 antique autos and several trucks were registered for exhibit. The breakdown of tractors was 50 John Deere, 23 International, seven Allis-Chalmers, six each of Case and Massey-Harris, four Fords, two each of Hart-Parr, Oliver, and Minneapolis-Moline, and a single Autlman-Taylor, Avery, Centaur, Cockshutt, Ebro (made in Spain), Ferguson, Huber, Long, Massey-Ferguson, and Oil Pull. The Aultman-Taylor was the largest piece of equipment shown at about 12 tons. A fully restored 1912 electric truck was also shown and entered in the parades.
At least four Leader stationary engines were exhibited, all made in Elmira and unaffiliated with the Leader tractor.
The group will hold a picnic Tuesday at the grounds in lieu of a business meeting.
Events at the show included a garden tractor pull, full-sized tractor pulls, and equipment parades. Demonstrations included saw mill operation, blacksmith shop, print shop, chair caning, weaving, and spinning, threshing, baling, antique mechanical wood splitting, shingle making and mechanical bale loading. Gerald Nelson presented an exhibit about 19th century Ellington gunsmith Corydon Bates. Other special exhibits included a large variety of antique electrical and scientific devices and curiosities, antique edge tools, home and kitchen antiques and miniature sewing machines, and the largest collection of electric and telephone pole insulators in the area.
The Old Dawg Bluegrass Band played Saturday afternoon. Katie Pierce and Florence Seekings conducted a religious song and praise service Sunday morning.
There was a pedal tractor pull for children and a sand play area.
The grounds also hosted Stockton Fire Department chicken barbecues and a bake sale presented by the Stockton Citizens Organization for Renewal and Expansion, maple syrup and pancake breakfasts, and other summer outing foods, plus an extensive flea market.
The show enjoyed good weather and a large attendance. Next year's show will be held Aug. 16-18 and will feature the Oliver and White lines of tractor.
The Chautauqua County Antique Equipment Association is an organization of collectors and fans of antique and obsolete machinery, tools and devices who appreciate the history of technological progress. One need not own or display equipment to join. Membership is $7 per year, $10 family. The association's website is CCAEA.net.