THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994 TAG: 9406080198
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940609 LENGTH: SURRY
The fourth annual Steam & Gas Engine Show on Saturday and Sunday is living history - exhibitions of life in rural America from the turn-of-the-century to the 1940s.
{REST} ``The show is a learning experience,'' said Kathy Wright, executive secretary of Chippokes. ``It shows how rural people used steam and gas engines to perform jobs such as threshing, corn shelling, operating feed mills, pumping water, operating sawmills.''
Those particular activities will take place, rain or shine, at Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum's 1930s sawmill, which became an added attraction last year.
This year's events include an antique tractor pull both days, plowing with mules, children's old-time games, a petting zoo, crafts and musical entertainment.
``The event is a family occasion where kids as well as parents can discover our American heritage,'' Wright said. ``What better way to learn of our heritage than to see it in action?''
There is constant action - demonstrations aplenty, including peanut picking, grain binding, threshing, plowing and cultivating.
Static displays include many antique cars, trucks and tractors. If you are in a buying mood, some old equipment will be on sale.
Not exactly farm-related, but equally interesting and entertaining, will be two events - a Civil War re-enactment, and line dancing.
The show began as a small one-day affair in 1991, luring 17 exhibitors.
In 1992, the museum joined forces with Branch 35 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association, also known as the Antique Engine Club of Tidewater, a move that expanded the show into a two-day event.
In 1993, the show had 96 exhibitors and an attendance of 2,500. Projections this year are for a crowd of 3,500.
There is a lot of room for visitors at the spacious plantation, enough to warrant a tram to help them get from one area to another.
Some of those other areas include the River House and Stewart Mansion. A tour of the farm also will be available.
The plantation also boasts an Olympic-sized pool, as well as hiking and biking trails.
There will, of course, be plenty to eat and drink. Souvenirs for sale will include official Steam & Gas Engine T-shirts, hats and buttons.
by CNB