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The Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc. announced Thursday that its 2024 power show is cancelled due to flooding at the Winamac Town Park, the show site venue.
The event is a long-standing tradition in Pulaski County the third weekend in July. The festival brings together antique tractors, steam engines and many working displays from years gone by. A tradition that started in 1976, the show brings thousands of visitors to Pulaski County every summer.
“It is with heavy hearts we have had to make the tough decision to cancel the 2024 summer show that was scheduled July 18-21,” said NIPFP president John Crist. “Our festival grounds received seven-plus inches of rain and are surrounded by the beautiful Tippecanoe River. Unfortunately, this much rain has caused not only river flooding, but the grounds are too saturated to hold the equipment and people who come to the show.”
Club officers collaborated with park and town officials to come up with alternative options. Club directors met to review options, and it was felt to maintain the integrity of the festival, cancelling was the most reasonable option.
“We have never been able to control Mother Nature,” Crist said, “and she has left us knee deep in water.”
In its 47-year history, show organizers have experience with a few disappointing setbacks. The antique power show has been cancelled on three previous occasions, most recently in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The 2015 show was cancelled due to soggy conditions in the park from heavy rains and flooding in June that continued into July. The 1996 show was cut short due to river flooding in the park.
As this week ends, the river is expected to crest at nearly 11 feet (the Winamac park floods at 10 feet). The water is predicted to start receding on Monday (July 15), but not to fall below 10 feet until after Wednesday July (17).
“It takes a solid week to set up the show, and the ground just won’t support the equipment displays and related operations this year,” Crist explained.
If you are a flea market vendor, your application may be rolled over to next year or refunded. Calls are being made to all vendors; if you have not received a call, please call 574-946-3206.
“The club expresses its upmost appreciation for the support the community shows for this event each year,” Crist said. “As disappointing as this cancellation may be to the community and club members, the show will go on in July of 2025.”
Up-to-date information may be found at www.winamacpowershow.com or follow the club Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/powerfromthepast Or email: nipowerfromthepast@gmail.com.
Despite this bit of dampening news, club members and members of the public are encouraged to attend the public viewing of the just-released Power Show documentary Tractors on the Tippecanoe at 7 p.m. ET, Wednesday, July 17 at the ISIS Theater in Winamac.
The 53-minute film was produced by Anne Rebeck Scott to celebrate the tradition of the 47-year-old Power Show.
The documentary was produced on behalf of Northern Indiana Power From the Past, Inc. which puts on the annual antique power show, and with the support of the Pulaski County Historical Society.
The film features the beloved sights and sounds of the Winamac power show, including steam whistles, the “spark show,” tractor rows, antique working displays, the quilt show, food and craft vendors, and the flea markets. In addition, there is historical video and photograph footage. The film also includes a variety of interviews with show participants in a multitude of capacities through the years – and touchingly, many of the show founders, particularly the late Chris Smith who is credited with conceiving the idea for the annual event.
