The upcoming Platte County Steam Engine Show has a long history in Platte County. The first show was in 1962.
It was right before the first Steam and Gas Engine show that then County Assessor Russ Bell asked former, long-time Platte City mayor Frank Offutt’s father, George Dennis Offutt, to organize the event.
Throughout the years, three generations of the Offutt family have been involved in the show: George Offutt, Frank’s grandfather, George Dennis Offutt, Frank’s father, and Frank.
The event has always been hosted at the fairgrounds and usually the planning for the next year’s show begins after the current steam engine show concludes.
The Platte County Steam Engine Show will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12,13 and 14 at the Platte County Fairgrounds located at 1st Street and Trebble Street in Tracy. Demonstrations to revisit agricultural history will include hay baling, gasoline engines, rock crushing, wood sawing, corn shelling, hammer mill, scale models, steam engines, threshing and blacksmithing by H & H Arts. There will be a car display hosted by Weston Moonshiners Car Club.
For Frank, this is an event that helps people appreciate and learn about their local history. “The steam and gas show is an opportunity to remember the heroes who made Platte County great. It serves a way to communicate to the younger generations the hard work undertaken to create a successful farm-based community.”
He remembers going to the show as a child and one of his fondest memories was the excitement of being allowed to participate and be hands-on operating and supporting massive equipment.
The event will feature a live demonstration of a separator threshing grain. There will be about 50 to 60 antique farm tractors on-site, with the oldest being a 1910 model.
“The Platte Purchase building, the dance pavilion and the Infield will all be open with multiple vendors selling an assortment of antiques,” Frank said.
There will be activities for kids, including Children’s Peddle Tractor Pull and Miniature Gas Power Train rides.
There will also be a flea market, a raffle drawing and arts and crafts for purchase. Food will be available in booths and will include funnel cakes, snow cones and hamburgers. The fish fry will be on Friday, Aug. 12 in the Platte Purchase Building.
“The most popular events in the past have been the threshing and sawmill demonstrations, Steam Engine Teeter Board and Baker Fan,” Frank said. “The kids like having the opportunity to pull the steam whistle.”
Other kids’ activities will include the Kids Pedal Pull, Money in the Straw, train rides and barrel rides.
Frank’s favorite events at the steam engine show are the antique gas tractor pull, the fish fry and the Baker fan demonstration.
The most rewarding part for Frank in being involved in the show in the past was, “working with so many wonderful folks who’ve shared their knowledge.”