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Monday, September 25, 2023

Return to Volcano Days

58 and overcast, light drizzle that is almost a mist. Same yesterday. Not rain, but we'll take it.

I have been to, and posted about Volcano Days before. This celebration of the early boom days of oil and gas exploration in our state,  and of the boomtown of Volcano, is always a fun, laid-back event. You can see my earlier posts about the festival here and here, and the ghost story we found on our first visit here.

Creativity at work!


This little vehicle could turn on a dime.


A 1921 gas-powered washing machine, a bit newer than the one I used back in our non-electric days that was hand-cranked, and made in 1883.


An early gas- powered water pump.

Gas-powered machinery was used for many tasks, as depicted in these old photos.


It fascinates me to watch the old machines work. 


This one is called the Do-Nothing Machine, which is exactly what it did, but such a hoot to watch.




Larry really enjoyed the old cars. That wagon he's pulling? We bought it at the festival, and it's hauling our other purchases. This festival is always a great place to find good items for our booths.




Homemade blackberry ice cream? Yes please!



We were tempted to buy some raffle tickets for the restored John Derek, but resisted the urge.


I did buy some of this corn meal, though, and looking forward to some good cornbread.




There were plenty of people there to enjoy the festival and the cool weather made it an enjoyable day.


The festival seemed smaller this year, and I was sorry to find that the big, old operating well was not on display. The owner of that setup was quite elderly in 2007, so it's possible he is no longer able to bring it. 


Still, there were many other old hit-and-miss engines on display,  along with a few steam whistles, antique vehicles, and homemade contraptions that added to the fun.


Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
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9 comments:

  1. QuinnMon Sep 25, 02:01:00 PM

    That looks like such a fun day! And was that cornmeal being ground right on the spot? I'm sure I've never had fresh cornmeal, and now I'm wondering if it tastes different when it's fresh - what do you think?

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    1. Granny SueMon Sep 25, 04:28:00 PM

      It is so much better! Yes, they were grinding it there. I used to grow Bloody Butcher corn and grind my own cornmeal with a hand grinder. A LOT of work! But so delicious.

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    2. QuinnTue Sep 26, 02:02:00 PM

      Oh that sounds so good! There was a time when I ground wheat with a hand grinder for breadmaking, but neither the grinder nor I were really designed for the task. I gave it up because the result had so much tough grit in it, I could have ended up like one of those skeletons the archaeologists find, with nubs for teeth because they ground grain with stones.

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  2. BillMon Sep 25, 02:01:00 PM

    Sounds like a fun festival to go to. Never heard of a gas powered washing machine.

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  3. CatalystMon Sep 25, 03:44:00 PM

    Those festivals are always fun to attend.

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  4. Barbara RogersMon Sep 25, 04:52:00 PM

    Oh I'd be captivated looking at all the do-dads of machines. The ice cream and fresh corn meal do make the day extra special.

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  5. Jim and Barb's AdventuresMon Sep 25, 07:10:00 PM

    Love that old machinery! But if I had my choice, I'd take the truck.

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  6. AnvilcloudMon Sep 25, 09:27:00 PM

    It must be nice to celebrate what must surely have been boom times.

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  7. Angie's RecipesMon Sep 25, 11:27:00 PM

    So many fun things to see in the festival. Those vintage cars are really cool.

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