PORT ALLEGANY — They don’t build things like they used to.
No one knows that better than the Allegheny Mountain Engine and Implementation Association, which will hold its annual demonstration this weekend. The event will take place Friday through Sunday at 4786 Route 155, Port Allegany.
The group is celebrating its 40th anniversary of the demonstration, said association member Peggy Cass.
To celebrate, the group is offering calendars this year that go from July to July and feature “old pictures from everything we’ve put together for the last 40 years,” she said.
Founded in 1975 by a group that wanted to preserve interest and knowledge of old equipment and implementation, the association will offer demonstrations of old-timey devices such as oil and lumber industry equipment, agricultural implements, sewing and washing machines and road-building equipment.
The event is being held in honor of the group’s founding members, the association’s website states.
“The feature this year is potato and potato equipment,” Cass added.
She said they would even show people how people would grow the tuber.
“I was surprised at all the history,” said Cass, describing one process for growing them. “They took three tires and put dirt in them.” Potatoes would be planted in the tunnel in the middle of the three stacked tires.
For anyone who has an antique machine they are proud of, the association is inviting visitors to bring their items to showcase. There are several activities to keep visitors busy, too, the website indicates.
In addition to the display of antique engines and tractors, the event will include flea markets and vendors, a white elephant auction, a kiddie pedal pull, crafts and raffles, according to the association’s website.
Breakfast will be served every day starting at 7 a.m. and lasting until everyone is served, Cass said. Lunch and dinner will also be ready, including a roast beef dinner Friday and pork dinner Saturday.
Cass added that the association is keeping event prices affordable so everyone can take part in the festivities. Friday will also be senior citizens day, in which senior citizens can be admitted to the event for a $2 donation. Children under 12 will be admitted free, too.
The demonstrations will begin at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and they are set for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
Among the event activities will be a movie night that will begin around 8 p.m. Friday and feature a family-oriented film. Saturday night will have a white elephant auction, according to Cass. The auction will begin at 6 p.m. and be free to attend.
On both Friday and Saturday, there will be a kiddie pedal tractor pull at 2 p.m. and antique tractor parades will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days, according to the website.
Visit www.ameia.net for more information about the association and the event.
