From the early 1930s to the mid-1970s, Minneapolis-Moline’s line of innovative and industry-defining tractors and machinery could be found nearly everywhere in the Midwest.
Founded in Hopkins, Minn. the company folded in 1974, and over the decades, collectors took to their tools and began refurbishing the once great pieces of equipment. Now, you can see the antique and refurbished Minneapolis-Moline tractors and equipment in person at the 44th annual Northern Indiana Power from the Past weekend. From a unique showcase of agriculture’s history and power to over 150 county-wide flea markets, vendors, and exciting events, Pulaski County is excited to welcome back the Region—and the Midwest—to one of its largest and most beloved events.
Starting Wednesday, July 15 to Sunday, July 18 at the Winamac Town Park at 10 City Park Drive, the county will highlight antique farm equipment and machinery used in the country’s growth and development over the past few hundred years.
“People can get up close and personal with these old and antique hit-and-miss engines, lawn and garden tractors, and other farming equipment,” said Nathan Origer, the executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission. “They do demonstrations and showcase practices of early American agriculture.”
“We’re a farming community, so this power show is a big deal for the county,” Origer said. “Whether people are coming for the tractors, the flea markets, or the live entertainment, it brings people to Winamac, to Pulaski County. It’s a huge community event.”
The county expects to see people from around the Midwest in Pulaski, enjoying the annual event and everything it has to offer. Origer remarked how this weekend, nicknamed Power Weekend, brings people from around Indiana and neighboring states to experience Pulaski County after a year and a half away.
“Because of COVID-19, we weren’t able to have Power Weekend last year, so we are thrilled to welcome people from across the Midwest to celebrate the return to some normalcy and this industry that has been vital to the county and the Region for so long,” Origer said.
Every morning of Power Weekend at 9 a.m., the county will kick things off with a flag raising and national anthem.
Wednesday, July 14 marks the first day of Power from the Past. Starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the weekend’s daily events begin, including flea markets, horse & wagon rides, blacksmith and pottery shows, children’s games, and more. Otherwise known as “Preview Night” and sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 229, guests can enjoy the Winamac Corner Deli Dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 15, however, is when Power Weekend starts with a bang. After the flag raising, community members can gather for the demonstrations run and experience the historical power of Minneapolis-Moline tractors. After a break for lunch and daily events resume, children’s games begin at 1:30 p.m. while the demonstrations run resumes at 4 p.m. before turning over to the evening events.
The 6 p.m. annual meeting and the 7 p.m. skillet toss are scheduled for Thursday night. For those looking for a bit of family fun and live entertainment, Lily Pearl’s Square Dancing Tractors come on at 6 p.m. to bring some hilarious shenanagins to Pulaski County.
Friday, July 16, guests can enjoy the daily events which begin after the daily flag raising and national anthem. Tractor and equipment demonstrations begin at 10 a.m. After a quick break, marked by the steam engine's noon whistle, kid events will start back up with the children’s games at 1:30 p.m. and the Kiddie Tractor Pull at 3 p.m. perfect for families and their little ones to enjoy and experience farming power.
Demonstrations will resume at 4 p.m. with the sawmill run, which showcases how early sawmills ran and were operated. After a day full of demonstrations and events, guests can enjoy the evening’s live entertainment from the Eel River Band. From classic rock to country, Friday night’s entertainment is sure to get people up and on their feet.
After a morning filled with the daily flag raising, demonstrations run, and daily events, the afternoon of Saturday, July 17 will be full of more children’s events and activities at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. along with the scholarship and awards ceremony. The scholarships, three in total, are awarded to local high school seniors who are going into an agricultural trade after they graduate.
Guests can end the night with the horse pull by the Northern Indiana Horse and Mule Pullers Association at 7 p.m. then head over to see the Wishbone Blues Band at 8 p.m.
For those looking to venture around Winamac and Pulaski County, along with Power Weekend’s daily events from over 150 vendors, local businesses and organizations will be partaking in the weekend with their own activities and events. For businesses like Tippy’s Pizza and Beer, this weekend marks a celebration of community, comedy, and new beginnings.
“We had to cancel what had planned last year due to COVID-19,” said Sheila Hazemi-Jimenez, owner of Tippy’s Pizza and beer. “We usually do a huge block party for Power Weekend that fills up the street and celebrates Winamac.”
Hazemi-Jimenez has owned Tippy’s since 2016, but recently moved to a new location amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, July 17, Tippy’s will host a comedy night, featuring two comedians: Hoss Ridgeway and Robert Day. This event will be the first hosted by Tippy’s at its new location.
“Though we’re not doing a block party this year, we’re really excited to host another comedy night for people that marks a return to normal,” Hazemi-Jimenez said.
Tickets are $15 and Tippy’s full menu and bar will be available. Seats are first come, first serve, and the show starts at 7 p.m. and will go to 8:30 p.m.
Ridgeway and Day, both born and raised in Indiana, are stopping in Winamac after both completing national touring shows. Ridgeway recently performed his first Dry Bar Comedy Special, while Day has toured with the popular Trailer Park Boys on their different Indiana legs of tours. Hazemi-Jimenez are thrilled to welcome the two comedians to the new restaurant location at 200 N Monticello St in Winamac.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing this new space completely filled up with people, enjoying good pizza, good beer, and good laughs,” she said.
On Sunday, July 18, the last day of Power Weekend, the morning kicks off with a non-denominational worship service at 8 a.m. before the flag raising at 9 a.m. Events will continue throughout the day, but for class car enthusiasts, the Class Car Cruise-In by Headhunters of Pulaski County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the perfect way to cap off the weekend.
The 10 a.m. sawmill run and the 11 a.m. cornhole tournament will complete the scheduled events on Sunday, but guests can still enjoy the rest of the weekend with the array of vendors throughout Pulaski County.
Tickets for the event are available at the gate. Daily tickets for adults are $3 and tickets for children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Four-day passes are available as well and are $9 at the gate.
For more information about Northern Indiana Power from the Past, visit the website at http://www.winamacpowershow.com/.