The Northern Illinois Steam Power Club is hosting its 61st annual Sycamore Steam Show and Threshing Bee this weekend.
Standing in front of a compound steam engine used to make ice nearly a century ago, Rockford resident Dick Caudle says he has had a lifelong love for steam-powered engines.
"My grandad worked for the Illinois Central Railroad in Freeport," Caudle said. "I went in the Navy and got put in the engine room, which that never hurt a bit – that was all steam, too, but it was steam turbines. Then I started working with boilers and air conditioning for a living.”
Lebre Miramonte has been coming to the event from Wisconsin since she was three, and now brings her three-year-old daughter.
“The family atmosphere – everyone bonds and gets together and helps," Miramonte said. "I really prefer the beginning of everyone setting up and making it what everyone else comes to experience.”
The event includes a daily parade of old steam engines, tractors, and other antique machines.
The Steam Show and Threshing Bee runs through Sunday.