International Windmill Trade Fair coming to Kansas
Swiftly turning blades atop soaring towers have long claimed residence to the Midwest skyline. There presence sprung from necessity, but now the windmill is an icon of agriculture and rural life on the plains. Evoking thoughts of days gone by and sometimes satisfaction that certain things never change.
The history and people behind these water pumping structures are almost as iconic as the windmill itself. Windmillers, dealers, restorers, collectors and enthusiasts from across the country and beyond, will soon unite at the 21st Annual International Windmillers’ Trade Fair, June 3-5 in El Dorado, Kan.“The purpose of the Trade Fair and Convention is to buy, sell, trade, show and talk about water pumping windmills,” said organizer Chuck Jones of Benton, Kan. “Some bring their junk iron to sell, some come to buy the junk iron. Others come to see all the different kinds of Windmills and to learn more about them. About a third of attendees are full time windmillers, a third collectors, and the other third just like windmills and the other items that go with it.”
The loosely organized group of steadfast windmillers has met in many locations over the years, but never before in Kansas. “We are really looking forward to the windmillers coming,” said Darla Stewart of the El Dorado Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They’re really a great group of people with good camaraderie. They swap and trade parts, share stories and pictures of unearthing windmills and learn about what the others are doing.”
The trade fair will feature historical tours, social events and all-day vending. A lecture will be presented by noted windmill historian, T. Lindsay Baker. Baker is the author of “A Field Guide to American Windmills” which is considered to be the windmillers’ bible and the most comprehensive book on the subject.
