Celebrate Father’s Day by taking dad to the Smoke & Steam Show at Lang Pioneer Village Museum (104 Lang Road, Keene).
The 23rd annual event, which kicks off the museum’s 2019 summer season, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 16th.
A tradition in Peterborough County, the Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show is the largest of its kind in the Kawarthas.
Local collectors will display some of the oldest antique tractors and steam engines around as they compete for over 20 awards, including Best Unique Exhibit, Best Display, and Lang Pioneer Village’s Choice Award.
The tractor games, including lawn tractor races, begin at 12 p.m. Tractors try to balance on a tilted platform as fast as possible, or manoeuvre through an obstacle course while balancing a tin can on a stick.
You can also view displays of smoke and steam collectibles, hit and miss engines, antique tool collections, and more.
In the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building, demonstrators and visitors can enjoy a pancake breakfast served until 11 a.m. while supplies last (three pancakes for $5, with syrup on the side).
You and dad can hop on board a tractor and wagon ride and tour the historic village in style, learning about the many ways power was generated in the 19th century.
You can visit the Shingle Mill in full operation, powered by volunteers and antique engines, or discover the power of air and heat at the Blacksmith Shop. Learn about steam and horse power at the South Lake School House, and see natural dyeing demonstrations at the Fife Cabin and Jacquard loom demonstrations in the Jacquard Loom Interpretive Centre.
You can also enjoy live music by Al Kirby and Howard Baer on the Weaver Shop porch, and the Lang Traditional Museum Club will also be performing throughout the day.
If dad could use a shave, treat him to an old-fashioned one by the barber in the Keene Hotel Bar Room. The cost is $24 for a hot shave or $15 for a regular shave. For the kids, a mock shave is available for $5.
The Lang Snack Shop will be open throughout the day serving refreshments, snacks, and Kawartha Dairy ice cream, or visitors can enjoy fresh fries or poutine served by Reggie’s Hot Grill. The day will conclude with a huge tractor parade through the village beginning at 3:15 p.m.
There will also be sheep herding demonstrations, including sheep visiting from Shepherd’s Hill Farm and Mirk the border collie.
The cost for admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, $7 for children and youth ages 5 to 14, and $40 for a family (two adults and up to four children and youth). Admission is free for children under five.
With the Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show, Lang Pioneer Village Museum will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Monday, September 2nd (Labour Day).
For more information, visit www.langpioneervillage.ca.
