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OSAGE – The 28th annual Cedar Valley Memories Steam and Power Show, celebrating the early days of steam power and pioneer life, returns on Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, at its site just west of Osage on Highway 9.

The rare 1918 Holt 75 Caterpillar will be the featured machine at this year’s show – and it is one of the most valuable. The machine is one of the first to utilize a track system to be used on soft soil conditions. Invented by Benjamin Holt, the caterpillar track systems were used in machines for agriculture, road building, logging, and extensively in military operations. 

Ed and Ray Smolik’s antique steam engines and early farm implements are sustaining highlights of the show. Noted among them is the 1878 Blumentritt steam traction engine, only one of two known in existence and operational. The other is housed in the Smithsonian Institute collection, which was used as a hoist engine during the construction of the Washington Monument. 

Other machines of note include a 1922 Advance Rumely, an early steam engine; the 1901 Frazee Automobile which was built in Osage and was the first gasoline-powered automobile manufactured in Iowa; and the Reeves 40-140 Cross Compound steam engine, the only one known to be in operation.

The show will open Saturday with the America Legion Omelet Breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Demonstrations of early steam power will be held, including threshing (11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday) and plowing (2 p.m. both days).

Other highlights include a noon tractor pull and silent auction (until 3 p.m.) on Saturday; and a 1 p.m. kiddie pedal pull on Sunday. Other features include refreshments, the Dudley School/Francis House, flea market, and the Chicago Great-Western Depot.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. A souvenir button gains admission to both days and admission to the Osage Firemen’s Dance Saturday night. 

Cedar Valley Memories, one of the sites operated by the Mitchell County Historical Society, is located a mile and a half west of Osage off County Road 9.