Check out steam-powered engines at Sycamore event

The Sycamore Steam Show & Threshing Bee, now in its 64th year, returns Thursday to Sunday, Aug. 12-15, to the Taylor Marshall Farm, 27707 Lukens Road in Sycamore.

This event is sponsored by The Northern Illinois Steam Power Club.

Watch the Aultman Taylor Sawmill, Flour Mill, Flink Fan, and old-fashioned threshing demonstrated each day at the show. Be sure to check out the flea market, and the kids are sure to enjoy the small-scale railroad or 4-H petting zoo.

Admission is $7; free for children younger than 12. On Thursday, seniors can get in for $5. Tickets may be purchased at the gate; cash is accepted.

The gates open at 7 a.m. daily, with the buildings opening at 8:30 a.m. There will be the national anthem and flag raising at 9 a.m.

Check out the daily activities between 9:15 a.m. and noon and 2:30 and 5 p.m. There will be a lunch break between noon and 1:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m. daily, watch the steam engines and gas tractors as they parade around the showgrounds, and then see them do work just as they would have 100 years ago.

See the sawmill and shingle mill in operation, silo filling, corn shelling, wheat grinding, field plowing, and music. Check out the displays of steam and gas engines, gas tractors, antique cars, and other antique power equipment, as well as the Prairie State Scale Railroad.

The "Illinois Engine," built in 1916, is the 10th of about 63 steam engines built in Sycamore. The Kewanee Stationary Boiler powers the Vilter engine and other stationary equipment at the show grounds. The Aultman and Taylor Saw Mill has been demonstrated at the Steam Show since 1968.

The show closes at 5 p.m. daily.

Visit www.sycamoresteamshow.com or www.facebook.com/Nispc/.

The Northern Illinois Steam Power Club is based in Sycamore. Its purpose is to preserve and develop steam power as an educational hobby and to recall the days when steam was the basic power source in factories, fields, and transportation.