JULY 9, 2009 ISSUE
30th Annual High Country Crank-Up Antique Engine Show July 23 to 25
John Hodges takes a spin in his 1947 Jeep Willys, with granddaughter Colby Seagle in the front seat and daughter Brenda Lewis and granddaughter Payden Lewis in the backseat. Photo submitted
“I like old things,” said antique engine exhibitor John Hodges. “I’ve been messing with [antique engines] for 35 or 40 years. I get a lot of fun out of getting one that’s been sitting for years to run.”
Hodges currently has 15 to 20 antique engines, and most of them are functional.
“I’ve got one or two I’m still working on,” he said.
Hodges will be one of an estimated 300 participants who will exhibit their antique engines, tractors and tools at the 30th annual High Country Crank-Up Engine Show that runs from Thursday to Saturday, July 23 to 25.
The show begins at 9:00 a.m. each day and is hosted by the Carolina Fly-Wheelers, an engine club of about 60 members who meet monthly and put on the annual show.
The nonprofit and historical organization’s “sole purpose is the preservation and restoration of antique engines, tractors and early farm machinery,” said Hodges’ wife, Betty.
Brothers Kyle, John and Mac Hodges stand next to a mill used to grind corn into cornmeal. The mill belonged to their father. “He’s the one who got them started into the engine business,” Betty Hodges said. Photo submitted
Enthusiasts will be able to view hit-and-miss gas engines, model engines, small air-cooled engines and antique garden and farm tractors.
The show includes vendors and demonstrations such as corn meal grinding, an antique wood lathe and homemade ice cream that is made utilizing an antique John Deere engine.
On Saturday, July 25, a children’s pedal tractor pull race, featuring weights in the back of tractors that children pedal from the start to finish line, begins at 11:30 a.m. The adult tractor parade kicks off at 2:00 p.m.
All steam equipment must be state-inspected. Primitive camping will be allowed on site, but there will be no hookups and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the grounds.
Vendor spaces of varying sizes may be purchased for $20, $30 or $40.
John Hodges displays several of his engines, with granddaughters Payden Lewis and Colby Seagle, pictured left to right, standing alongside. The 30th annual High Country Crank-Up Engine Show runs Thursday to Saturday, July 23 to 25 in Deep Gap. Photo submitted
Admission for adults for all three days is $8, for Friday and Saturday is $6 and for any one day is $4. Exhibitors and children ages 12 and under are free and senior admission is $3.
The show is in the same location as last year—on Highway 421 in Deep Gap, in the Mack Brown Farm field across the street from the New Laurel Springs Baptist Church.
For show information, call 828-264-4977. For tractor information, call Jeff Hodges at 828-265-1771. For vendor information, call Tod Hale at 828-964-8984 or Lynn Castle 828-864-8056.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday to Saturday, July 23 to 25
Time: 9:00 a.m. daily
Location: Mack Brown Farm field, Deep Gap
Cost: $8 three-day pass/$6 two-day pass/$4 one-day pass/$3 seniors/ free for exhibitors and children 12 and under
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