Oliver Collectors are marking their calendars because for the first time, the Hart-Parr/Oliver Collectors Assoc. (HPOCA) National Summer Show will be held south of Interstate 70. The show is hosted by the Ohio River Valley Collectors (ORVC) and will be June 22-24 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Madison, Ind. ORVC President Richard Cart said, “People are attending from all over the U.S., plus Canada and overseas. The number of people coming will be 8,000 to 10,000, but interest has been unreal; we could have up to 12,000. Some of the hotels in Madison are already full or almost full as of April 1. “City support and merchants have been great,” Richard added about this historic river town. Madison boasts a population of about 12,000 and was founded in 1809. It is famous for festivals like the Regatta Hydroplane Race, garden and home tours and more.
The HPOCA show has been in the works for a while. “Four years ago this August I went to Platte City, Missouri, to give my presentation before the National HPOCA board,” Richard said. “A few weeks later the Ohio River Valley Oliver Collectors were approved to host the 2017 summer show. With help of Visit Madison, Inc., the mayor’s office, the Jefferson County Fair Board and 11 businesses in Madison, this all came about.”
He has been a member of HPOCA since 1989. “We are the 20th chapter of the HPOCA. The Ohio River Valley Oliver Collectors chapter was formed in 2012. This HPOCA national association also has members worldwide from Canada to Australia, New Zealand and England, to name a few.”
It makes sense for Richard to be a member of the HPOCA: “I have 17 Oliver tractors and 48 pieces of Oliver equipment, combines, plows – you name it!”
He does more than just collect equipment – he also restores tractors for a living. Raised on a farm using Oliver equipment, his family is also involved in the hobby.
“I have collected Olivers for 19 years and was raised farming on Olivers in Jefferson County. “My wife, Stephanie, and oldest son, Oran, and youngest son, Kasper, have attended shows with me many times over the years. My daughter, Lesley Miller, is helping with this show as well.”
The ORVC has about 20 members. One of the things Richard said that sold the show to the HPOCA is involving the younger generation in the hobby.
They have contacted the Madison Consolidated High School band and parents, who agreed to help out at the show. “The young folks are what will keep this organization going,” he noted.
One of the highlights of the show is the Three Beauties. “These were the first 6-cylinder motors Oliver came out with in 1948, 1949 and 1950,” Richard explained. “At the Chicago Expo, Oliver had a blonde, brunette and a redhead drive the tractors – one drove an Oliver 66, another an Oliver 77 and the last, an Oliver 88 (thus the three beauties).”
He is expecting collectors from Nebraska, Canada, Pennsylvania, Georgia and a strong representation from southern states to bring some exciting hi-crop and orchard tractors to the show. The HPOCA Summer Show will have activities including a swap meet, tractor ride through historic downtown Madison, a tractor pull, a tour of Madison by trolley, a tour of a the beautiful Lanier mansion, auction of antique equipment, working demonstrations and a toy show.
For some of these events, visitors need to register. While this is a Hart-Parr/Oliver show, Richard wants to be sure collectors know that all makes and models of antique equipment are welcome. “This will be a very busy three days. I think there will be something for everyone that loves the history behind agriculture,” he said.
For details, log onto www.hartparroliver.org/assets/summer-show-2017-registration. pdf
Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication. Learn more of Cindy’s finds and travel in her blog, “Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl,” at http://travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com |
