July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Another attraction in the mix (7/11/05)
Editorial
Don't care to see amazing machines climb steep hills?
That's OK.
Not interested in vintage motorbikes or scooters?
That's OK.
Never got into antique gas engines and tractors?
That's OK.
Your pulse doesn't race at the thought of high-end tractor pull competition?
That's OK.
But, the fact is, we have ourselves a pretty amazing confluence of events here, folks.
And it makes real sense to make the most of the opportunity.
Back 40 years ago, when the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association launched its first show, many were not impressed.
Who cares about old gas engines? Why should anyone care about a bunch of old tractors? There were more questions than answers.
But the skeptics had it all wrong.
The engine show brought hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands to the community.
Before you knew it, the Tri-State Show was the biggest on the planet.
About 30 years ago, the Vintage Motorbike Club started making the Jay County Fairgrounds the site of its annual gathering.
Who cares about old motorscooters?
Again, the skeptics were wrong.
This week, the VMC is once again to Jay County, making this otherwise somewhat inconsequential place on the American map its national home.
While both of those were taking shape, the Fort Recovery Ambassadors launched a credible, popular site on the National Tractor Pulling Association circuit.
Who cares about tractor pulling?
By now, you should know the answer: Plenty of people, folks who are willing to drive long distances to enjoy a competition they love.
Now, this past weekend, we've added to the mix.
Who cares about amazing machines climbing steep hills?
You guessed it, plenty of people. For an initial event at XPLEX Extreme Competition Park, a facility which is still taking shape, this past weekend was a remarkable success.
Now, stop for a minute and consider the possibilities: Old engines, vintage motorbikes, national tractor pulls, and United Rockcrawling and Off-Road Challenge (UROC) hill-climbing.
Any two of them add up to significant economic opportunities. The four of them combined are something small communities all over America would drool over.
The good news is, local businesses seem to recognize the opportunity.
The ground-up effort by merchants working through the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce went a long way to make visitors feel welcome and to set the stage for a long-term relationship with these events.
More than one visitor was heard to say that his hometown wouldn't have been as welcoming and upbeat.
There's an old saying that you have to play the hand you're dealt.
True enough.
But you also have to recognize the hand when you see it.
This time around, the dealer has been generous.
With XPLEX and Tri-State and the VMC and the NTPA, we've been dealt four of a kind.
Let's not misplay our hand. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
That's OK.
Not interested in vintage motorbikes or scooters?
That's OK.
Never got into antique gas engines and tractors?
That's OK.
Your pulse doesn't race at the thought of high-end tractor pull competition?
That's OK.
But, the fact is, we have ourselves a pretty amazing confluence of events here, folks.
And it makes real sense to make the most of the opportunity.
Back 40 years ago, when the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association launched its first show, many were not impressed.
Who cares about old gas engines? Why should anyone care about a bunch of old tractors? There were more questions than answers.
But the skeptics had it all wrong.
The engine show brought hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands to the community.
Before you knew it, the Tri-State Show was the biggest on the planet.
About 30 years ago, the Vintage Motorbike Club started making the Jay County Fairgrounds the site of its annual gathering.
Who cares about old motorscooters?
Again, the skeptics were wrong.
This week, the VMC is once again to Jay County, making this otherwise somewhat inconsequential place on the American map its national home.
While both of those were taking shape, the Fort Recovery Ambassadors launched a credible, popular site on the National Tractor Pulling Association circuit.
Who cares about tractor pulling?
By now, you should know the answer: Plenty of people, folks who are willing to drive long distances to enjoy a competition they love.
Now, this past weekend, we've added to the mix.
Who cares about amazing machines climbing steep hills?
You guessed it, plenty of people. For an initial event at XPLEX Extreme Competition Park, a facility which is still taking shape, this past weekend was a remarkable success.
Now, stop for a minute and consider the possibilities: Old engines, vintage motorbikes, national tractor pulls, and United Rockcrawling and Off-Road Challenge (UROC) hill-climbing.
Any two of them add up to significant economic opportunities. The four of them combined are something small communities all over America would drool over.
The good news is, local businesses seem to recognize the opportunity.
The ground-up effort by merchants working through the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce went a long way to make visitors feel welcome and to set the stage for a long-term relationship with these events.
More than one visitor was heard to say that his hometown wouldn't have been as welcoming and upbeat.
There's an old saying that you have to play the hand you're dealt.
True enough.
But you also have to recognize the hand when you see it.
This time around, the dealer has been generous.
With XPLEX and Tri-State and the VMC and the NTPA, we've been dealt four of a kind.
Let's not misplay our hand. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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