COLUMBUS – There’s plenty of power at this year’s Power Show Ohio, Jan. 26, 27 and 28, at the Ohio Expositions Center in Columbus.
More than 260 farm, construction and outdoor power equipment exhibitors will fill four buildings on the state fairgrounds, showing off the latest in equipment from at least 700 manufacturers.
“The latest in equipment will be right there. It’s one of the first times people get to see a piece of equipment after the late fall introduction,” said Dennis Alford, show manager. “The exhibitors bring in what’s new.”
All four buildings at the fairgrounds – the Voinovich Center, Coliseum, Bricker Building and the Celeste Center – are filled to capacity, Alford said, and a waiting list has been started for the 2002 Power Show Ohio. The buildings are linked by covered tent walkways so visitors are sheltered from the elements when going between buildings.
The annual equipment expo, now in its 31st year, is sponsored each January by the Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Association.
This year, you can win an AlphaSports LG-50 youth ATV, valued at approximately $2,000. It’s designed for riders as young as 6, with a top speed of 16 mph.
Entry forms are available at the information center in the Bricker Building (formerly called the Multi-Purpose Building). Power Show visitors can turn in the completed entry in the booth of Hayward Distributing. A winner will be selected in a random drawing at 3 p.m. Jan. 28. You don’t need to be present to win.
More than 35,000 people visited last year’s show, with winter weather hurting Sunday’s attendance. Attendance at the show typically runs about 40,000 visitors.
The majority of visitors to Power Show Ohio hail from the Buckeye State, but there are a lot of visitors from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan, Alford said. “There are a lot of people who drive 3 or 4 hours to the show. They’re usually the first ones there, too!”
At this year’s Power Show, you can see a lot of the new smaller skid steer loaders and mini front end loaders. You’ll also find everything from the full-scale planters and livestock trailers to utility vehicles and ATVs.
One of the more unique items at this year’s Power Show, Alford said, is a line of powered parachutes from Arcanum First Flight. In addition to recreation, they’re ideal, the manufacturer said, for farmers to use to scout fields. You’ll find the exhibit in the Voinovich Center.
A full schedule of educational seminars will be presented during Power Show Ohio (schedule begins on page 1). This year, OSU Extension and the ag college created interactive exhibits that provide a new way to educate and inform visitors on hot topics. You’ll find the displays in meeting room #2 of the Voinovich Center. You’ll also be able to talk with OSU specialists throughout the weekend.
If you’ve got a mighty pedal tractor puller in your family, put him or her to the test in the open pulling sessions for the National Kiddie Tractor Pull, Jan. 27 and 28.
All boys and girls ages 3-8 can try pulling in the open pulling sessions both days. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the pulling begins at 11 a.m.
One puller from Saturday’s action will be crowned the Ohio State Kiddie Tractor Pull Champion. No prequalification is necessary other than competing at the Power Show on Saturday. Sunday will feature the finals in the national kiddie tractor pull championship. Competitors have qualified by placing in the top three positions at pulls sanctioned by the National Kiddie Tractor Pullers Association.
Make the most of your weekend by taking in some of the other events at the state fairgrounds Jan. 26-28.
The annual farm toy and collectible show will be staged in the Ohio Building all three days from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $2; children under 6 are admitted free.
In the O’Neill Building on Saturday only, Power Show visitors can watch the Buckeye Quarter Midget Racing events. Admission is free.
And on Friday from 1-5 p.m. and starting Saturday at 9 a.m., is the Winternational quarter scale tractor pull in Cooper Arena. Admission on Friday is $5; Saturday, $6; admission is discounted both days for children under 12.
Hours for the 2001 Power Show Ohio are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is $5 at the door. Complimentary advance tickets are available at most local power equipment dealerships and are also available from the Farm and Dairy office in Salem, Ohio.
