By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite today’s rough economic conditions, the parking lot at the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fairgrounds was at full capacity during this year’s Power Show Ohio. New power equipment and tools of all kinds (for farmers and non-farmers alike) were the main draw at this year’s three-day event.

“Yeah, we’re in a recession and some of these new items are tough to afford, but like everything else even the old equipment needs to be replaced eventually,” Power Show Ohio Manager Dennis Alford said. “This show has solutions on display for almost any problem one could be having, either on the farm or in the backyard.”

According to Alford, half of those in attendance were registered as full-time or part-time farmers.

“Our show is perfect for the landscaper, contractor, commercial cutter and even municipalities, but our main base is the farmer,” Alford said.

Indeed, Don Nielsen and his son-in-law, Brad Benton, contract farm 1,100 acres in Stark County in northeast Ohio. The two attended this year’s show to purchase a new cultivator to replace his old rotary tiller his father used all his life. Second, they were in attendance to price a New Holland tractor.

“Farm equipment is just like a family car. You just can’t live without them,” Nielsen said. “And just like buying that car, you need to shop around and see what’s best in the market. More than likely, though, we’re going to end up making a purchase of used equipment rather than new. This new equipment is beautiful stuff, but much out of our price range.”

Mike Sullivan of Ross County in Ohio had his eyes on a new hay raker. That is, until he noticed the $38,000 price tag.

“I’d sure like to own a new one, but at that price I think I’ll just refurbish the one I have,” Sullivan said. “The one I now have would be considered an antique if you saw it. But it’s functional so maybe down the road I’ll put some money into a new one.”

This year, there were 220 exhibitors with more than 600 brands of equipment. Items included the newest and best tractors, skid steer loaders, commercial mowing equipment, all-terrain vehicles, grain handling, computer software, fence building, hay equipment, buildings, backhoes, logging equipment, compact tractors, livestock equipment and many exhibits from colleges and universities in Ohio.

Many educational seminars were available each day, teaching farmers everything from how to restore old barns to the dangers in dealing with uncovered manure. Cooking demonstrations were a top draw, as was the annual Kiddie Tractor Pull.

From its beginning in 1971, Power Show Ohio has grown to nearly six times its original size. The first show had just 51 exhibitors and covered 54,000 square feet. The 2010 show boasted 300,00 square feet (filling four buildings on the grounds at the Ohio Expo Center).