Although the first show of the Northwest Ohio Antique Machinery Association wasn't held until 1972, the idea was born at Bluffton's Mountaineer Days in 1971. At that time several men from the Bluffton area were asked to show some antique machinery and put on a wheat threshing demonstration. It provided to be so much fun and created so much interest that the Northwest Ohio Antique Machinery Association was formed. Permission was granted by the town of Bluffton to begin clearing the Village Farm woods for the first show to be held in August of 1972.
The first officers of the group were: Bob Flick- President, Gene Schmidt- Vice Pres, Berdell Huber- Secretary, and Richard Moyer- Treasurer. There were 10-15 families in the club at that time. By 1974, the organization had grown to better than 200 members.
The Assoc continued to hold their shows at the Village Farm in Bluffton until 1980. By this time they felt that a larger area was needed is the show was to continue to grow and prosper. The 1980 show was the first to be held at the Hancock Co. fairgrounds in Findlay, OH. In 1983 the show added a fourth day and attendance had grown to over 10,000 visitors during the four day weekend event. Many arts & craft and flea markets were also included. Each year the show has grown- last years display consisted of over 500 tractors and 300 gas engines and many other unusual pieces of equipment.
What was once a seed of an idea by a small group of men has grown into an organization dedicated to keeping alive the agricultural heritage of our fore-fathers. It has also provided a lot of fun to both participants and onlookers throughout the years.