EDENDALE CRANK UP
The Edendale Vintage Machinery Club’s annual Crank Up event continues to draw the crowds, thousands making the pilgrimage to the iconic Southland event over the January 27-28 weekend. History – literally – comes to life at the Crank Up, now in its 31st year. Not that there is anything high brow about what has to be one of the best regional events ( or rather, best kept secrets) in this country. Rather, i t is history writ small, and proudly colloquial, with the focus unashamedly on the machines and machinery that helped make New Zealand great.
The traction engines on which the Crank Up event was originally based, still play a key part. But now the celebration of all things mechanical includes everything from stationary engines to tractors, trucks and yes even ( racing) lawn mowers. This year the featured brands were John Deere and Fordson tractors and Chrysler cars. And in keeping with recent trends, a ‘celebrity guest’ ( ex rugby and league player and former TV personality Marc Ellis) was flown in from ‘up north’ to act as MC. Ironically, the south’s stunningly hot, dry summer proved a bit of a mixed blessing this year, a total fire ban prompting the organisers ( and custodians of the many steam-powered traction engines) to take extra precautions. As Edendale Vintage Machinery Club president Ken Bell told The Southland Times the day after this year’s event; “With vintage machinery and steam engines, or just any machinery really, we have to really respect that fire hazard.”