Antique Engine & Machinery Show steams up Anacortes Sept. 8 Posted by Joan Pringle | Aug 29, 2012 | 799 views

Fire engines are the theme of the Anacortes Antique Engine & Machinery Show Saturday, Sept 8 at Market Street and T Avenue just northeast of the W.T. Preston snagboat.

Featured along with Anacortes’ 1924 American-La France pumper is an 1899 American steam fire engine that appeared in the 1960 movie “Hello Dolly” and 1937 movie “Old Chicago.”

The engine is being brought up from La Center by owners Dick Blackburn and Cathie Bigelow. They’ve owned the pumper for a number of years and have brought it up often to the Anacortes show.

“We really like Anacortes,” Bigelow said. “It’s just beautiful and the people are so friendly.”

The fire engine is the only one like it in the Pacific Northwest that still pumps, Bigelow said. It is inspected and certified every year by the Washington Boiler Board.

Also on display at the show will be steam and gas engines, tractors, steam boats, motorcycles, trucks, cars and tools. There’ll be blacksmiths, handicrafts and children’s activities, including coloring pages of old steam fire engines.

Also returning this year is the human-powered railroad car from Issaquah. Dave Yount, president of the nonprofit hosting the show, said its members are working on building their own human-powered car but doesn’t think it will quite be ready for this year’s show.

The 17th annual event will also include hay rides, miniature train rides and a parade starting at the show grounds at 11 a.m.

The Antique Engine & Machinery Show began in 1996 on the lawn of the Anacortes Museum. This year’s event is sponsored by the Museum Foundation, Noon Kiwanis Club, city, port, Sebo’s Hardware, Birch Equipment, Les Schwab Tires, Walgreens and Salvation Army.