The general public as well as “Old Iron” enthusiasts are invited to experience hundreds of pieces of earth moving equipment, trucks, crawlers, graders, backhoes, rollers, shovels, scrapers, trenchers, dozers, tractors and more from the past, as they work the dirt and sit proudly on display.

The Quinebaug Valley Engineers Association (QVEA) and the Northeast Rockbusters Chapter of the HCEA will co-host the 22nd Annual International Convention and Old Equipment Exposition at the Zagray Farm Museum, Route 85 in Colchester, Conn. on the weekend of July 20 to 22, 2007.

This is the first time the HCEA Convention has been held in New England.

The featured machine for 2007 is a Northwest Model 80-D cable-operated shovel from the 1950s. This 40-ton (36 t) machine will be in operation and attendees of all ages can sit in the operator’s seat and get lessons on its functions.

There is plenty for the whole family to do and see: operating and static exhibits of construction machinery powered by gas, diesel, steam, and horse. Operating exhibits include narrated demonstrations of the equipment.

On-site vendors of construction toys, scale models, sales literature and other collectibles and memorabilia will be on hand. A large flea market, parts and literature about old machinery, food, and merchandise will be available.

Show hours are 8 a.m. to dark on Friday, 8 to 5 Saturday, and 8 to 3 Sunday.

The Saturday night Convention Banquet and Auction will be held at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, Conn. Featured speaker, Landis Zimmerman, a noted Cletrac expert, will focus on the H.F. Davis Tractor Company, located in Boston for many years and the Anderson Overshot Loader, which was built in Maine. Tickets should be purchased from the QVEA by July 9th.

The HCEA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of the construction, dredging, farming, and surface mining equipment industries. Located at 16623 Liberty HI Road, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402, it has approximately 4,500 members worldwide, and publishes a quarterly magazine, Equipment Echoes. This site houses a museum, extensive archives, a restoration shop, and a collection of more than 50 pieces of old equipment.

The Northeast Rockbusters Chapter of the HCEA has members from all New England states and eastern New York. Bi-monthly meetings are held in various locations throughout the area, and Rockbusters News is sent to the membership.

The QVEA is a not-for profit organization that is a joint tenant of the Zagray Farm Museum, and is dedicated to the preservation of agricultural, industrial, and construction equipment.

For more information, visit www.hcea.net or www.qvea.org.

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