We put on a good show (8/28/03)

As the 38th Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show is slowly becoming history, I feel called up to make the following comments.

Never have I seen so many people from so many places enjoying themselves so much; nor have I seen our community so helpful to strangers (since the blizzard of 1978).

To all the volunteers who have helped promote and put the show together, you have truly done a grand job. I heard comments from all walks of life about the pleasure of coming to Portland, Indiana, for the show, the quality of the fairgrounds being superb, to vendors inside the fairgrounds, and last, but not least, the rummage sales up and down the streets.

So many people coming to the tractor show come to explore the fairgrounds and look at the antique engines, but also for the sheer unadulterated fun of seeing the rummage sales all along the streets.

I realize that this probably causes some traffic problems, but oh dear, the joy of the people in general for the pleasure of looking and talking and discussing the price of everything from nuts and bolts to a roller for a piece of antique furniture. It is simply a time of peace and relaxation for most of the people.

I noticed in particular how very careful the auto and truck traffic was around the pedestrians and the small golf carts, scooters and garden tractors, etc., and could not help commenting on this. So many many people are unable to explore the town on foot for various physical reasons (too young, too old, too tired, physically disabled) and need some kind of inexpensive wheels to do so. I noted many people with small children were out of energy before the day was half over. The use of golf carts, garden tractors and other small-wheeled vehicles seemed to be the answer, and seeing the grins and smiles on the faces of the kids (both young and old) made the slow traffic all worthwhile.

In closing I will only say that once again all our local folks have come through with flying colors, in spite of all the negative news on TV and elsewhere. So have a good year everyone, and come again ... we love to have ya!

Mona Steed

Portland

[[In-content Ad]]