If you missed the opening weekend for the 52nd Annual Great Oregon Steam Up at Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks, you have one more chance on Aug. 6-7 from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The 62-acre festival offers visitors the opportunity to see thousands of engines, motors, vehicles and tractors from Oregon’s industrial and agricultural past, as well as food, drinks, activities for kids, a swap meet, a flea market, and a parade on all four days of the festival.
In addition to the 14 museums on-site which feature large and small steam, diesel and gas powered engines set up to demonstrate how they are used in a wide variety of industrial and farming tasks, people bring their antique farm equipment and vehicles from all over the Pacific Northwest each year for display and judging in the “Fantastic Parade of Power.” You can even attend a non-denominational church service on the two Sunday mornings, with a chapel conveniently located right on the grounds.
Each year a theme is featured – this year’s is Fire Apparatus, including ladder trucks, water trucks and other firefighting equipment from Oregon’s past.
The two-weekend festival is a local favorite that goes all the way back to 1969, when a group from Woodburn who called themselves “The Steam Fiends” began making an annual show out of their get-togethers. The event pulled in more support from the surrounding area, and they quickly bought a piece of land which has been the festival grounds since 1970. The four-day event draws thousands of spectators and vendors from all over the state.
Powerland Heritage Park is located at 3995 Brooklake Rd. NE in Brooks. Entry fee is $21 per person, and overnight camping areas are available. There is also a $5 parking fee.
