The Post is back

“The Trading Post is back,” said Brett Rouch.
“You know it!” his wife Lori exclaimed.
Lori Rouch had directed the Trading Post at the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association show for years, but she walked away from those duties two years ago, unhappy with the way the buy-and-sell site was evolving.
But now she’s back, and her enthusiasm is running high.
“I missed it,” she said.
The Trading Post — for the uninitiated — is located in the farthest east horse and pony barn and the area immediately around the barn. It’s a place where exhibitors and collectors can bring something they want to sell and where other exhibitors and collectors can find something to buy.
What kinds of things?
A complete inventory would be impossible, but here’s a sampling: Old motorbikes ready for restoration, a boat and trailer, an abundance of old garden tractors also ready for restoration, engines, parts for engines, parts for tractors, reproduction pedal cars.
There is also an old Camaro that would be a challenge to restore, a Chrysler New Yorker circa 1960, old bicycles, a Dr. Pepper vending machine, a set of old stadium seats, a rusty Texaco sign, a stuffed deer head, tools, boots, fire extinguisher, industrial light fixtures, chain saws, at least one church pew, milk cans, crocks, sleds, school desks, a parking meter, little red wagons with more than a little rust, dinette sets, insulators and a large metal image of Col. Harlan Sanders of KFC fame.
It’s a little bit like a garage sale on steroids.
The only things you won’t find are alcohol, firearms or other weapons, or toxic substances.
“We want it to be good clean fun for everybody,” said Lori.
The most unusual item so far this year, said Lori, is a urinal.
“And somebody wants it already,” she said Tuesday afternoon before the Trading Post opened for business.
John Oxley of Hartford City is helping to run the Trading Post this year, and so is Lori’s husband Brett.
The Trading Post is open until 8 p.m. today, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
A consignment auction of unsold and unclaimed items follows.
The Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association receives a 10 percent commission on all sales.
Tuesday afternoon, though the post wasn’t yet open, there was plenty of browsing going on.
“The Trading Post is always fun,” said Mick Johnson of Toledo, Ohio.[[In-content Ad]]