HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Thresher Reunion, 2004-09-09, Page 41Welcome to the 43rd Annual Thresher Reunion
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PAGE A-8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004.
Thresher Reunion 2004
On board
Five trucks, equipped with tilt and load trailers and winches make the job of transporting the
huge steam engines to the Thresher grounds each year a bit simpler. (Photo submitted)
Moving day a big job
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
It's a big job that requires a good
deal of co-ordinating, but if anyone
should know the ins and outs of
what's required it's Ray Hallahan.
The 43rd Reunion is also
Hallahan's 43rd show. He has been
president of the Thresher
Association twice and served many
years as special events co-ordinator.
For the past 15 years he has headed
the transportation committee,
charged with the huge responsibility
of moving the impressive traction
steam engines onto the fairgroUnds.
"These engines mean a lot to the
people who own them. You can't
.buy the parts for them off the shelf.
They are very protective."
Other than the show's 40th
anniversary when 40 engines were
displayed, the Reunion typically has
20-25 engines at the event. They
come from as far away as North Bay,
Shanty Bay, Ridgetown and Milton.
The majority are returnees, said
Hallahan, though they do try toget
someone new each year.
Initially, through discussions with
the exhibitors, Hallahan arranges
transportation. "I have to find the
location and time for pickup. The big
thing is these people don't want
those engines at the site too early
and want them hothe again soon
after. There's real pressure to get
them in on the Monday or Tuesday
to be exhi")ited Friday."
When Hallahan first took on the
job. it was much more challenging.
Special equipment, however, has
taken the pressure off.
"The way we used to do it
compared to how it's done today is a
big change. We use truckers from
London, Caledon and a few locals.
There are about five trucks to do the
job, equipped with tilt and load
trailers and winches."
The engines, full of water, weigh
as much as 15-18 tons, said
Hallahan, yet now can be loaded and
ready to go in 10 minutes.
Now the biggest challenge is
keeping costs to a minimum. The
transportation budget is the biggest
of the entire Reunion, Hallahan said.
"It has run as high as $18,000 a
year."
Co-ordinating the transportation is
therefore very important. "It's a
matter of putting loads together. The
trick is to have a full load."
It's possible to get as many as two
steam engines and a tractor on one
float.
Once the engines arrive at the
- grounds Hallahan sees they are
unloaded, with the able assistance of
his helper on the committee John
Sutherland from Allenford.
Over the course of the Reunion the
mighty giants wilt then impress at a
number of displays, from sawing to
threshing.
Up we go
Getting the big machines loaded is a much simpler task
than in earlier years because of the new equipment. (Photo
submitted)
Cruising
Antique and classic car owners get to show their stuff
during the parade each afternoon at 4 p.m. Also travelling
the track around the grounds are the mighty steam
engines. (File photo)