RIDGEFIELD — The Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association recently announced the 22nd annual Rural Heritage Fair, to be held in Ridgefield on the property of Alan Schurman’s “Iron Ranch.” This family celebration will be held on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.
The Rural Heritage Fair celebrates the history of agriculture, logging and industrial mechanization in Clark County starting in the late 1800s along with rural living.
This year’s show will feature live demonstrations in the blacksmith’s shop, with blacksmiths forging objects from the 1800s to modern art metal objects. A steam boiler will be used to power equipment, including a 1800s logging donkey, steam-powered drag saw predecessor to the modern chain saw, and a steam engine used to power a sawmill in Baker, Oregon, in the late 1800s.
A large number of turn of the 20th century single-cylinder engines powering ice cream churns, corn grinders, water pumps, washing machines and many other machines operated pre-electric power in Clark County. Steam and early gasoline-powered tractors will be operated each day of the event.
Returning this year a pioneer village. This will provide children with hands-on opportunities to recreate task for early days in Clark County including splitting cedar shakes, churning butter, grinding corn, making quilts, washing clothing and other rural heritage tasks. Kids also will enjoy a candy scramble and a kiddy tractor pull. This feature to is a big hit with kids and adults, especially grandparents.
Schurman will open his vast collection of toys, bicycles, cars, engines, tractors, signs, motor scooters, classic bicycles, period kitchen/ household items, industrial equipment and thousands of items collected over the past 60 plus years. Schurman’s “Iron Ranch” has been featured on the History Channel’s “American Pickers” show. A people mover will take attendees around the grounds of the Iron Ranch and Fair.
Members of the Fort Vancouver Equipment Association will have on display a huge collection of steam and gas powered farm tractors, “hit and miss” single cylinder engines, antique garden tractors, antique cars, classic cars, farm machinery, fire engines, industrial equipment and many items used in Clark County in the19th and 20th century.
A swap meet will provide vendors selling old tractor parts, tools, antiques, farming memorabilia and a host of other treasures.
This 22nd anniversary of the Rural Heritage Fair runs from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Food will be available for purchase during the event. Admission and parking are both free . The street address is 23100 NE 10th Ave., Ridgefield. Follow the signs on Northeast 10th Avenue.
For more details on the Heritage Fair, call or email Mike Bjur at (360) 608-3179 or michaelbjur@hotmail.com.
