Foothills Antique Power Association

Foothills Antique Power Association is one of the local organizations I support. They are a non-profit group dedicated to promoting the restoration, preservation, and exhibition or agricultural and mechanical devices used in the era gone by.

The members host the Foothills Power Show each year at the Hickory Fairgrounds with the monies received being distributed to local groups such as Hospice, Boy Scouts, and the 4-H Club. The show includes display of antique tractors, cars, trucks, hit & miss engines, garden tractors, small gas engines and various farm equipment and household items from the past. Activities include: Tractor games, Kids Pedal Tractor pull, Sheep herding and shearing. One of my favorite exhibits last year was a log home created from a Redwood tree. Truly amazing! A number of vendors turn out each year providing everything from hamburgers and bar-b-cue to homemade ice cream.

Whether they’re involved in the Kids Pedal Pull, riding the train, watching in awe as someone creates a life like bear with a chainsaw or just taking in the exhibits the enthusiasm of children for learning about the machinery used by the American farmer is a joy to behold. For family fun that also is a learning experience these shows simply can't be beat.

Other events many of the members will participate in are the Folk Festival at Murray’s Mill, Killian’s Farm, and a number of local parades. I’ll be listing the dates and time for their 2009 events as they become available.