Florida Flywheeler

Featured Article, pg 24 - 29
Flordia or Bust - The Florida Flywheeler Show
By Kate Goelzhauser

I LIVE IN A TYPICAL SMALL TOWN IN SOUTHERN INDIANA; close to the Ohio River and
surrounded by the best darn corn grown in the U.S. When the topic of vacation arises, I admit
that Florida is the first place that drifts into my mind. There is something intoxicating about
that salty air and sultry sun.

THE FLORIDA FLYWHEELERS ANTIQUE ENGINE CLUB began in 1972. It is a non-profit
organization that promotes the restoration, preservation and exhibition of antique tractors and
engines. In 1997 the Club purchased 240 acres in South Polk County, sufficiently used as a park
to display their collections of antique tractors, vehicles and engines. Flywheelers Park includes a
tractor pull track and several buildings, which are used to house displays and collections. Their
membership roster exceeds 1,900.

The primary purpose of the Club is to educate the general public of the importance of these
items of the past. The group is heavily involved in giving to the community and supporting the
local Future Farmers of America Restoration Teams. Their initiative is preserving a part of our
heritage for all generations and historians to enjoy.

Enjoy? I admit my enthusiasm in driving to Florida from Southern Indiana was not peaked. After
talking in great detail to Kevin Savage, Vice President of the Flywheelers Club and visiting the
Club's website, my mind was completely changed. I am not so certain that the display booth will
be manned very efficiently on this trip, as I plan to cover every inch of 240 acres! Let me
elaborate on this spectacular show and as I compose, I trust that you will sense my energy,
decide to pack a bag and join the crew from LAGC in Fort Meade, Florida.

Stationed at Flywheelers Park is "The Village" where you will be transported to life in the
19th/late 20th century, Rural Town, U.S.A. The town offers entertainment for motorheads and
non-motor enthusiasts alike. For example, attractions such as the John Deere building, IH
Building(s), Morgan's Tractors, Fred's Small Engines and Laurel & Hardy's Ford building will keep
the mechanically-minded busy for hours…perhaps days! And that's just for starters. Other
attractions include live music events, tractor pulls, saw mill demonstrations, live demos of antique
engines and motors, a kiddy train, kids tractor pulls, draft horse pulls and a daily parade. When
you preview the map of the antique village (page 26) you will recognize that several days will be
required to experience The Village to its fullest.

An added bonus: this year the Flywheeler Club has elected to feature vintage lawn and garden
tractors of any brand. There will be a large display area in The Village for lawn and garden
collectors to display their tractors.

The weekend prior to the show, a giant auction will be conducted. On Saturday of that same
weekend there will be a lawn and garden tractor parade from Flywheelers Park proceeding
through the town then parking in an area where the whole town will observe the tractors on
display. The following Saturday, a banquet will be held with a guest speaker. I will follow up in a
future issue with the specific dates/time/costs for those events.

This is a wonderful opportunity to promote our fast-growing hobby in the southern region. Lawn
and Garden Collector Magazine is working closely with the Florida Flywheelers Club to heavily
promote this show. LAGC will be in attendance and we strongly encourage you to join us! As he
saying goes…"The more the merrier".

Read more about this fun-filled show at www.floridaflywheelers.org. My thanks to professional
photo-grapher, Ken Minyard, for providing the magnificant photos seen in this article.
LAGC