By Jack Larimer
Twice every year the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum located at 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave. puts on tractor shows. The spring show is always two weekends in June, the fall show is two weekends in October.
The Vista Historical Society had a booth at the annual Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Spring Show. We had our booth there on June 19, 26, and 27. We were not there on Sunday June 20 because we were at the Strawberry Festival.
We had our same booth location next to the bridge. This is a great location right on the parade route for the daily tractor parade. At the show, the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum showcases many other features of their over 50 acre museum. These include the weaving barn, the model railroad museum, clock museum, blacksmiths, train rides, food trucks this year, many engines and mechanical devices on display and demonstrations of them running, sawmill demonstrations, milking demonstrations, a super gift store, and many other interesting things to see and do.
This year during the show, we were able to talk to many of the show visitors about our museum and the events there. Many thanks to our volunteers over the three days, Sharon Larimer, Carlotta Malone, Pat Richardson, George and Virginia Purcell, , Eleanor Hutchins, Gary and Anita Hutchins, Mimi Titus, Terry and Michele Moxley, Carolyn Chiriboga, and Spike and Beth Harvey. A special thanks to Spike Harvey, Russell Harvey, Ron Anderson, Joey Nichols, and Richardson for setup and Spike Harvey, Russell Harvey, Pat Richardson, Tyler Tacktee, and Aaron for breakdown.
If you have never been to one of the events at this museum, you must put it on your list of things to do. We will again have a booth at the Fall Tractor Show on October 16, 17, 23, and 24. Volunteers are needed to staff the booth. Hours at the booth are not long, and there is much to see there. If you volunteer, there is no admission charge. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the office at 760-630-0444.
