This final post covering the Council Grove wagon event will feature a few (not all) of the vehicles at the show as well as the participants who graciously shared their treasures with us. For anyone who wasn't able to be there, I hope you can see the fun, fellowship, and great times that took place. Anytime such rare history, detailed information, and Old World skillsets are shared, it's destined to be great memories for all involved.
While this event was predominantly organized by the Santa Fe Trail Association and Kaw Mission, there are other organizations that also create similar experiences. Among those groups are the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA), American Chuck Wagon Association, and the National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association. If you're not a member of one or more of these, I'd encourage you to strongly consider joining them. The networking opportunities are tremendous and the variety of event locations and seminars can literally bring the American West to life! With that said, below are a few additional images showcasing the times we shared at Council Grove...
The above vehicles (and several others) were brought by Frank and Peg Burkdoll from Kansas.
Ricky and Judy Day brought their Brown brand wagon to the event. The box and seat are in amazing condition as is the Studebaker running gear. It is rare to come across pieces retaining so much original paint.
Jeff and Barb McManus traveled from Wyoming to share their blacksmithing presentations and custom trail pup designed as an early traveling forge.
Greg and Joanne VanCoevern brought a number of intriguing vehicles from their collection in Kansas. Among those they shared were an Army Ambulance, Peerless goat wagon, Huntingburg pony wagon, and a light, Studebaker business carriage.
Patrick Goodknight of Missouri brought some amazing pieces as well. One was a Studebaker Rack Bed Mountain wagon and the other was a verified 1886 Peter Schuttler running gear he found in Montana.
Patrick Goodknight and Ricky Day shared some good-natured ribbing during the final awards ceremony.
Greg & Joanne VanCoevern brought a number of vehicles to the event.
Don & Connie Werner also put a tremendous amount of work into their presentations.
Jeff McManus' demonstrations were definitely a crowd favorite.
Frank and Peg Burkdoll took home Top Wagon honors as well as the People's Choice award.
Ricky Day took on the tough job of judging the wagons and carriages. I can tell you from experience, that's never an easy task. Thanks Ricky.
Psalm 20:7