Malcolm and I attended the recent Massey Expo at the Country Heritage Park in Milton, Ontario, Canada two weeks ago.  We had not expected it to be an outstanding event even though it is the 175th anniversary year of Massey.  It turned out to be "OK", better than the last Expo held there but could not hold a candle to the 150th anniversary Expo held there previously.
Sadly the Heritage Park has lost its shine over the years.  Two major makes have departed and the large sheds of veteran tractors etc were not open to the public even though it was a holiday weekend.  We did steal a glance into these sheds however and to say the least it was depressing to see the poor and neglected state of these marvellous machines.  This is mirrored too in the Massey building which was always kept spic and span by volunteers but is now somewhat "dusty". with flat tyres and at least one siezed engine.  Additionally the Park management have chosen to install a totally inappropriate balcony which members of the Massey Twin Power Association whom I met with are up in arms about.  Apparently they were not consulted.  The "Country Heritage" aspect of the Park seems to be being sacrificed and replaced with more profitable weddings and events which has apparently returned the Park to profitability - maybe they will see fit now to re-invest in the valuable items of country heritage that they are custodians to.  We can only hope.............

Anyway for now here are some pics of the actual Expo
John

A specil vote of thanks to  Jo-Jo Poneclet, MCA President for taking the time and effort to be at the show and make herself known to Canadian, US, British and Dutch MCA members
John

Was hoping someone would eventually post some pics from the show. Would like to see more of that 1100 LP.

Dakota,
Sorry I didn't get many close ups of the 1100 LP. Jo has not had time yet to post the pictures in the Gallery yet but she did get the Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa shows posted so you can spend some time looking at them for now until she gets the Canada show posted. You missed a great show! Here are a couple of my favorites from the Milton show and the Steam show.
Joe

Now we are back in UK and getting around to reflecting on our trip including the high and low points of this very special "175th Anniversary of Massey Expo" at The Country Heritage Park in Milton, Ontario.

Yesterday I received an email response from a M-H Collector who I was looking forward to meeting at the Expo, I never saw him or any of his items at the event. Apparently he decided not to go due to the rules of the Heritage Park in NOT allowing anything to run during the show, now I fully understand why we never saw an "Expo Parade" or any M-H gas engines running this year,
I do recall the parade from the 150th Expo in 1997 was a great memorable part of the entire show, together with M-H gas egines belted up to various M-H machines demonstarting their use.

Changing times I guess but my question, "WHY A STATIC EXPO for such a memorable occassion" ??? 

My personal opinion is paying public like to see and hear moving machinery, looking at a static display does not always tell the visitor what the machine did and how it operates. We have to promote our working agricultural heritage at our shows in England now with what these things did in their working day.

Look forward to others comments on this which I never heard mentioned at the event.







 

I also heard that the Coutry Heritage organisation was requiring quite unrealisticly high levels of insurance for exhibitors exhibits which individually would be very costly.  Apparently they would not accept club members club insurances.  One really does wonder if they are trying to klll off vintage equipment events?????
John

I'm sorry, but sounds like a dull show to me. That's the best part is seeing and hearing them run, being paraded around. Each tractor has their own unique sound and that to me is the whole show. Looking at them is nice too, but for me, I like it most when they are running and doing demonstrations. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet any of you fellers from the UK and visit with other friends, but beside that, it sounds like I didn't miss much. 

Just my .02 cents