See The Old And New At “100 Years Of Horsepower”
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The “100 Years Of Horsepower” show is a cross between the country’s largest working antique farm show - the Half Century of Progress - and the best modern outdoor show - the Farm Progress Show. It is scheduled for August 25, 26 and 27 of 2022 near Bellville, Ill. And it’s free.
“We’re different from any other event because we have everything from the very, very old to the very, very new,” says Tom Renner, Renner Stock Farms, home of the show. “We’ll have the latest computerized combines alongside plows pulled by oxen and draft horses.”
Renner and a small group of old equipment enthusiasts held a draft horse field day in 2006. It became a biennial affair. Over time Tom and his son Jake included all types of mechanized equipment. As the show grew, others brought their equipment too. The 2021 show was canceled due to the pandemic and rescheduled for 2022.
“When we canceled, I had people call us from 33 states,” says Renner. “We expect around 20,000 people this year.”
He is quick to give credit to more than 25 corporate sponsors like Corteva Agriscience, Bunge Grain, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Dekalb/Asgrow and more. Rural Heritage, Heritage Iron and Big Tractor Power are also sponsors.
“We couldn’t do it without our sponsors,” says Renner. “The only fee is for gators and golf carts brought to the show, and that money goes to the local 4-H.”
Two things set this show apart. One is its inclusiveness, and the other is the emphasis on demonstration. Anyone can bring their farm-related equipment to participate. Renner and his family have set aside 375 acres for the show for good reason. Just those scheduled to attend and demonstrate will take a lot of space.
“This is a working show, not just a walk-by,” says Renner. “We have people from long distances bringing equipment and exhibits. There is something for everyone.”
Already on board are steam engines, tractors of all sizes and ages doing tillage, and more than 80 teams of horses plowing and seeding fields. Other horses will be on treadmills or working a sweep to power equipment. There will be blacksmithing, threshing, a working sawmill, a shingle mill, and rock crushing for field lime. Horse logging, corn shucking and chainsaw carving are also planned.
“The national corn husking championship was supposed to be held here last year,” says Renner. “This year we will have our own contest. We’ll have everything from handpicking to very early corn pickers and combines.”
Renner will have his own 1904 bandsaw and edger operating. Others have indicated they will be bringing their own.
At the suggestion of wives attending the show, organizers have added a new section called “She Show”. It will include beekeeping, weaving, broom and soap making and other aspects of farm home life.
If the farm and home demonstrations weren’t enough, the big event will also host a junior rodeo and live music. The local Grange and other organizations will provide food, and not just burgers and hot dogs.
“They will be serving farm food,” says Renner. “Sweet corn and food that would be served at the farm table. We want to keep to the rural theme.”
Attendees will also be able to sign up for a special treat. The Renner family equipment collection (see accompanying story) will be open for tours. Normally tours must be scheduled by groups and in advance.
“We will be holding tours in small groups, following COVID recommendations,” says Renner.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, 100 Years of Horsepower Show & Exhibit, 3412 Carlyle Ave, Belleville, Ill. 62221 (ph 618-973-4596; Jake 618-531-8175; She Show 618-973-8932; jakerennerfarms@gmail.com; www.100yearsofhorsepower.com).
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See The Old And New At “100 Years Of Horsepower” TRACTORS Antiques The “100 Years Of Horsepower” show is a cross between the country’s largest working antique farm show - the Half Century of Progress - and the best modern outdoor show - the Farm Progress Show It is scheduled for August 25 26 and 27 of 2022 near Bellville Ill And it’s free “We’re different from any other event because we have everything from the very very old to the very very new ” says Tom Renner Renner Stock Farms home of the show “We’ll have the latest computerized combines alongside plows pulled by oxen and draft horses ” Renner and a small group of old equipment enthusiasts held a draft horse field day in 2006 It became a biennial affair Over time Tom and his son Jake included all types of mechanized equipment As the show grew others brought their equipment too The 2021 show was canceled due to the pandemic and rescheduled for 2022 “When we canceled I had people call us from 33 states ” says Renner “We expect around 20 000 people this year ” He is quick to give credit to more than 25 corporate sponsors like Corteva Agriscience Bunge Grain Nutrien Ag Solutions Dekalb/Asgrow and more Rural Heritage Heritage Iron and Big Tractor Power are also sponsors “We couldn’t do it without our sponsors ” says Renner “The only fee is for gators and golf carts brought to the show and that money goes to the local 4-H ” Two things set this show apart One is its inclusiveness and the other is the emphasis on demonstration Anyone can bring their farm-related equipment to participate Renner and his family have set aside 375 acres for the show for good reason Just those scheduled to attend and demonstrate will take a lot of space “This is a working show not just a walk-by ” says Renner “We have people from long distances bringing equipment and exhibits There is something for everyone ” Already on board are steam engines tractors of all sizes and ages doing tillage and more than 80 teams of horses plowing and seeding fields Other horses will be on treadmills or working a sweep to power equipment There will be blacksmithing threshing a working sawmill a shingle mill and rock crushing for field lime Horse logging corn shucking and chainsaw carving are also planned “The national corn husking championship was supposed to be held here last year ” says Renner “This year we will have our own contest We’ll have everything from handpicking to very early corn pickers and combines ” Renner will have his own 1904 bandsaw and edger operating Others have indicated they will be bringing their own At the suggestion of wives attending the show organizers have added a new section called “She Show” It will include beekeeping weaving broom and soap making and other aspects of farm home life If the farm and home demonstrations weren’t enough the big event will also host a junior rodeo and live music The local Grange and other organizations will provide food and not just burgers and hot dogs “They will be serving farm food ” says Renner “Sweet corn and food that would be served at the farm table We want to keep to the rural theme ” Attendees will also be able to sign up for a special treat The Renner family equipment collection see accompanying story will be open for tours Normally tours must be scheduled by groups and in advance “We will be holding tours in small groups following COVID recommendations ” says Renner Contact: FARM SHOW Followup 100 Years of Horsepower Show & Exhibit 3412 Carlyle Ave Belleville Ill 62221 ph 618-973-4596; Jake 618-531-8175; She Show 618-973-8932; jakerennerfarms@gmail com; www 100yearsofhorsepower com
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