Fun at vintage country fest
‘‘"[We] just hope that everyone is happy with what we have done."’’
A vintage country festival returns for its annual gathering, and this time with a very rare stationary hay baler.
Organised by the Glenbrook Vintage Railway and Franklin Vintage Machinery Club, this weekend’s Steam and Vintage Country Festival will feature old enginery such as steam boats, traction engines, tractors and work trucks.
Among the many vintage machines, an old and unique stationary baler in operation will be the main attraction for the weekend.
The hay baler is called an Evona and was designed and created by two families, Evans and Hooper, back in the 1930s.
To keep things authentic, round hay bales will be cut up, separated and spread across a designated area where event staff will perform a live demonstration on how baling was executed the old fashioned way; using the one and only Evona.
Event organiser and FVMC president Owen Blackbourn said: ‘‘It’s showing people how things were done in the old days, making hay and silage, and we will be showing that at the Glenbrook show.’’
Blackbourn is excited for this year’s event, which will be held at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, and said he can’t wait to operate some of the vintage machinery.
‘‘It’s an excuse to all get together and talk about the old times,’’ said Blackbourn.
Another crowd-pleaser will be a 100-year-old tractor that will be coming all the way from Edgecombe.
The Titan 10-20, which has been in the same family for over 100 years, is equipped with a 531 cubic inch, two cylinder engine that was capable of achieving around 10 to 20 horsepower at 575 rpm - hence the name 10-20.
Spectators and festival-goers can also expect to see a Tiger Moth fly by, a Bell 47 MASH helicopter display, a 1953 OC3 Oliver bulldozer and horse ploughing demonstrations.
The Steam and Vintage Country Festival is on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information www.vintagemachinery.co.nz visit