The 23rd annual Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show is set for Aug. 9-10 on the Iola Old Car Show Grounds, 130 Jenson Drive.
An array of vintage military vehicles and equipment of the past will be displayed, along with vintage tractors and equipment that played such a big part of the past.
This year will feature a variety of plows from various eras that farmers used to till the soil for planting crops.
A program on plows will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday and at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. David Wolfe of the Beda Company will talk about the history of plow companies and lead a workshop on plow setup.
Wolfe is active in the Arcadia Old Time Farm Fest, in Arcadia, Wisconsin, and annually gives demonstrations and announces the parade. He is also a member of the Arcadia Historical Society and sponsors the society’s annual hay ride.
Wolfe presents on plowing and other topics to various clubs and at shows all over the country. He also enjoys tractor pulling, collecting tractors and plows, and talking about farming.
He is by trade an operating engineer on highway construction and serves as his company’s main writer, researcher and speaker.
Other displays and activities include:
• Living encampments and weapon demonstrations.
• An onsite blood drive from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
• Vietnam battle re-enactment at 1 p.m. Saturday.
• World War II battle reenactments at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
• Genuine GI breakfast of S.O.S. from 7-10 a.m. daily.
• Rides in a M35A2 (deuce-and-a-half) truck from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
There will also be a Vietnam Memorial Caisson on display during the show, which is owned by Vietnam Veteran Bob Teska and his wife Ginny.
The caisson has been displayed at many locations and events including The High Ground in Neillsville and at LZ Lambeau in Green Bay. The memorial has brought many Vietnam and Iraq veterans together with respect and honor.
A Mobile Veteran Center, a 38-foot motor coach converted into a confidential counseling area, will be at the show on Saturday. Representatives from the Veterans Administration Center will provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans and their family members at no cost.
The Veterans Tribute Trailer will also be at the show on Saturday. The trailer has a vinyl wrap with 417 pictures of military veterans from WWI to current.
The gun show continues to provide an indoor exhibit of a variety of gun related items for both exhibit and vending.
Daily admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12.
For more information, visit www.iolavms.com.