Harvest Moon features 1925 steam engine

Published 10:12 pm Tuesday, October 2, 2012

A slice of Americana will be showcased at Under the Harvest Moon in downtown Dowagiac Oct. 13, when collectors of antique farm tractors from Cass and Berrien counties will gather. The festival also features an open-air marketplace of Michigan-grown produce, autumn mums, handmade products and antiques.

The 23-unit display, which will be situated on the north end of Front Street at the Division Street intersection, will include farm implements produced by John Deere, International Harvester, Allis Chalmers and Keck-Gonnerman.

“Chamber member Vic Cuthbert, president of the Michiana Two-Cylinder Club, has worked with us to bring this wonderful display of antique farm equipment to the downtown that dates back to the 1920s,” Vicki Phillipson, program director for the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, said.

Phillipson said the festival will play host to David Kroa, of Niles, who will feature his 1925 Keck-Gonnerman steam traction engine and hand-built water wagon tender.

For three-quarters of a century, Keck-Gonnerman was a dominate figure in American industry in the field of manufacture, sales and servicing of mobile steam engines and grain threshers marketed under the trade-mark Kay-Gee.

Owners of antique tractors are invited to place their farm equipment on display at the Oct. 13 festival. Call the chamber of commerce at (269) 782-8212.

In addition to the antique tractor display, Under the Harvest Moon features an outdoor marketplace of more than 45 vendors of handmade products, produce and sweet delicacies, along with family events and live entertainment. For a full list of festival activities, visit www.DowagiacChamber.com.