GENTRY -- Visitors to the Tired Iron of the Ozarks' 33rd annual spring show on Friday and Saturday got a taste of life in the area's rural farming communities from generations past.

Along with antique tractors and engines from the early to mid-20th century, attendees watched blacksmiths heat iron to glowing temperatures before shaping it into tools and utensils. On Saturday, blacksmiths from the Blacksmiths of Arkansas demonstrated the craft that provided many tools and implements in 19th- and 20th-century America.

At noon each day, tractors lined up for the Parade of Power, with the club's announcer introducing the various tractors and drivers as they passed the grandstands.

Children could sit atop a large tricycle made with tractor tires or ride the Tired Iron train around the showgrounds. Many were also allowed to sit in the driver's seats of displayed tractors.

Household machines and tools in the club's antique building showed visitors how tasks were done in the past. The collections included numerous sewing machines, kitchen tools, and other household and farm appliances.

Visitors to the club's fall show enjoyed the look back at local history. Those displaying old engines and tractors or working in the blacksmith shop could connect with other enthusiasts to share ideas, skills, and information.

Lunch was served in the club's mess hall, with fresh-baked pies for dessert.

Tired Iron of the Ozarks is a nonprofit club dedicated to preserving and exhibiting antique engines, tractors, and items of historic value.

The club has a 17-acre showground in rural Gentry and holds two free shows annually, one in the spring and one in the fall.

photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer This John Deere tractor runs on propane and was among the tractors in the Tired Iron of the Ozarks Parade of Power on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A variety of tractors, like this electric tractor driven by Don Christensen, pass by the viewing stands during the Parade of Power each noon during the Tired Iron of the Ozarks shows in Gentry.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A variety of tractors pass by the viewing stands during the Parade of Power each noon during the Tired Iron of the Ozarks shows in Gentry.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A variety of tractors pass by the viewing stands during the Parade of Power each noon during the Tired Iron of the Ozarks shows in Gentry.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Julie Lancelot, Lynda Vice and Judy Brummett pause from their kitchen duties for a photo during the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Steve Low of Gentry works in the Tired Iron of the Ozarks blacksmith's shop during the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Steve Low of Gentry works in the Tired Iron of the Ozarks blacksmith's shop during the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Peggy Pletcher drives the Tired Iron of the Ozarks train, a favorite of young visitors to the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Griffin Hough of Springfield, Mo., works on a small hit-and-miss engine at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Mark Dixon of Siloam Springs explains the workings of a large hit-and-miss engine to Ken Unholtz of Burton, Kan., at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Mark Dixon of Siloam Springs explains the workings of a large hit-and-miss engine to Ken Unholtz of Burton, Kan., at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer This John Deere tractor runs on propane and was among the tractors in the Tired Iron of the Ozarks Parade of Power on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A side sickle bar mower was mounted on a Ford tractor at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks spring show in Gentry.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Griffin Hough of Springfield, Mo.,works on a small hit-and-miss engine at the Tired Iron of the Ozarks spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Peggy Pletcher drives the Tired Iron of the Ozarks train, a favorite of young vistitors to the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Steve Low of Gentry works in the Tired Iron of the Ozarks blacksmith's shop during the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Steve Low of Gentry works in the Tired Iron of the Ozarks blacksmith's shop during the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Julie Lancelot, Lynda Vice, and Judy Brummett pause from their kitchen duties for a photo during the spring show in Gentry on Friday.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A variety of tractors pass by the viewing stands during the Parade of Power each noon during the Tired Iron of the Ozarks shows in Gentry.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A variety of tractors pass by the viewing stands during the Parade of Power each noon during the Tired Iron of the Ozarks shows in Gentry.
photo Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer A variety of tractors like this electric tractor driven by Don Christensen, pass by the viewing stands during the Parade of Power each noon during the Tired Iron of the Ozarks shows in Gentry.

Randy Moll

Randy is an avid photographer and writer. He's edited newspapers since 2004 and has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 2006. He can be contacted by email at [email protected].