< PreviousHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 20238 LAn efficient way to convert large square bales into small square bales 717-500-6553 858 Pumping Station Road • Quarryville, PA 17536 • Up to 10,000 pounds per hour • Can handle up to 4'x4' bales • Hydraulic powered • Can be set up with most balers • Single person operation • In floor auger system option availableHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 2023 9 Ra resounding success, in fact, that finding corporate and local sponsorship has been somewhat effortless. Coca-Cola is one of the chief sponsors, and there are a number of familiar businesses featured on the Wall of Fame that have contributed through the past four years. Just over a decade ago, there was some discussion making the rounds about finding or creating a proper landmark for horse sales, auctions, and other similar types of events. Several members of the Amish furniture community were part of those talks, and eventually word reached Fry. At the time he was involved in the field of construction and masonry, and also organizing horse sales on the side. It was only a matter of time before he was approached about his thoughts on the project. The interested parties traveled to Howe, Indiana, where they toured a multi- purpose complex. The parties wondered aloud about how to construct stalls to facilitate designated spots for animals. As is quite common with small-town life, families banded together to make that happen, and the result was 150 stalls. “We completed the work just two days prior to the first show,” Fry says with a smile. They then opened up and put the word out that they were looking for shows of any kind. the response was great and they started having a nice variety of shows including home & yard, hunting & fishing, furniture, tools, antiques, etc. “Cleaning up from an equine event and having the area clean and fresh for a Furniture show the next week had its challenges as everything was being held in the same area.” Bolstered by that success, the vision broadened to include an entirely new facility altogether. It was a logical next step, and an easy decision for Fry at that point. “I decided to sell the construction part of my business and went to doing this full time,” he says. With the help of grants, the leaders for the building endeavor secured the financing necessary to move forward, and the project began in 2016 with the foundation. By the spring of 2017, construction began in full force, and the MEC was open for business in the fall of that year. The local businesses have a harmonious exchange of services with the Michiana Event Center and ideas, particularly with regard to parking. Although the MEC has space for 1,100 cars, the nearby marketplace has graciously accepted overflow traffic, and the MEC gladly reciprocates as needed. From music and merchants, recreation and retail, and anything else in between, the MEC staff members continually strive to accommodate it all. We have a great crew here at the MEC, but we couldn’t survive with out our local businesses and people attending the shows. “Our goal is to create a family-friendly event for attendees and to have trade shows for local businesses to display their products for buyers that they may not get at their store.” Fry says. MEC (continued from page 7) (continued on page 11)HORSE PROGRESS DAYS 202310 LHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 2023 11 RThe Michiana Event Center is located at 455 East Farver Street in Shipshewana. Photos and videos can be viewed at michianaevents.com. Dennis Fry can be reached via phone at 260-768-3305. Karen Flanhardt can assist with coordinating and planning events, and can be reached at 260-768-3306. Visit them online at michianaevents.com. ✸ MEC (continued from page 9) www.DavCoAdvertising.com Trusted Since 1974 89 North Kinzer Road Kinzers, PA 17535 717-442-4155 Fax: 717-442-8660 Your Source For: G r a p h i c D e s i g n P r in t in g • P h o t o g r a p h y M a ilin g S e r v i c e s P r om o ti on a l P r o d uc t s A p p a r el 717.442.4155 • www.DavCoAdvertising.com For information on advertising in the 2024 Horse Progress Days information guide, please contact Daryl Stoltzfus at DavCo Advertising: 717.575.3189 or daryl@davcoadvertising.comHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 202312 LExpress Wagons & Pony Wagons, Easy Entry Pony Carts, Laundry Carts, Custom Steel Fabrications.HORSE PROGRESS DAYS 2023 13 RTo encourage and promote the combination of animal power and the latest equipment innovations in an effort to support sustainable small scale farming and land stewardship. To show draft animal power is possible, practical and profitable. President Joseph Wengerd PO Box 126 Mount Hope, OH 44660 330-857-0371 Vice President Melvin King 5566 Old Philadelphia Pike Gap, PA 17527 717-768-8313 Ex. 103 Treasurer Maynard Miller 2380 N. 925 W. Shipshewana, IN 46565 260-365-8444 Secretary LaMar Schrock 238 County Road 575 North Arthur, IL 61911 217-208-8697 Member at Large Henry Detweiler 8810 Nashville Highway Vermontville, MI 49096 517-726-0550 Member at Large Leon Raber 7445 East 400 North Montgomery, IN 47558 812-486-3165 Resource Consultant Dale K. Stoltzfus 1006 Log Cabin Road Leola, PA 17540 717-940-4412 Logcab7@ptd.net 2024 Pennsylvania 2025 Michigan 2026 Illinois 2027 Ohio 2028 Southern Indiana 2029 Northern Indiana Future Event Locations TM National Board of Directors Mission StatementHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 202314 LFarm & Fence Solutions Poultry Solutions From poultry fencing to heat lamps to feed grinders. Maintain your flock with our field tested proven poultry products. 80 pages. FREE Shipping on qualified orders! Contact us for FREE catalogs! Premier1Supplies.com 800-282-6631 Fences That Work Practical advice for portable, temporary and semi-permanent fence solutions. Includes more “how-tos” and helpful tips than any other source. 164 pages. Equipment That Works Field-tested livestock husbandry equipment. Includes ear tags, clippers, shears, lambing aids, show supplies, feeders, waterers and so much more! 136 pages.EMMA SEYBERTS SCOTT MIDDLEBURY Michiana Event Center (MEC) 80 80 W200N W250N 120 20 120 120 20 20 LAGRANGE SHIPSHEWANA 5 5 13 13 13 9 9 9 The 2023 Horse Progress Days will be held at The Michiana Event Center (MEC) 455 E Farver Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565 HORSE PROGRESS DAYS 2023 15 RGeneral Coordinator Lynn Miller 574-821-1543 Teamsters Devon O. Miller 260-562-3312 Equipment Steven Bontrager 574-642-5183 Vendors Mervin P. Miller 260-463-2811 Produce Maynard Miller 260-463-2588 Children’s Area Vernon Miller 260-768-7194 Breed Presentation John Miller 260-593-0758 Seminars Marlin Eash 260-768-7865 Advertising Maynard Miller 260-768-7359 International Guests Gerald Miller 574-642-4808 Tours Floyd R. Miller 260-463-2401 Homemaker Sam Riehl 260-768-9109 Homesteading Paul Miller 260-499-4628 Logging William Nissley 260-349-5353 Food Perry Bontrager 260-463-2626 Sponsorships Ferman Miller 574-218-2155 Local PlannersHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 202316 L330.897.0449 Homestead Herbs 32083 TR 219 Fresno, OH 43824 Call us today to see how we can help your family! 6840 TR 568 HOLMESVILLE, OH 44633 PH 330-674-0851 | FX 330-674-7748 OLD FASHIONED FORMED EVENERS We can ship anywhere Dealers Welcome Free Catalog The Evener Shop EVENERS, NECKYOKES, SINGLETREES FOR HORSES OF ALL SIZES. AVAILABLE IN WOOD AND STEEL Midway Repair ShopMidway Repair Shop 1 mile W. of Mt. Eaton, or 3 miles SE of Kidron on US 250 Danny J. Miller & Sons 14400 Dover Rd. • Dalton, Ohio 44618 Horse Drawn Implement Parts & Equipment Hard to find parts • We Ship UPS CORN PLANTERHORSE PROGRESS DAYS 2023 17 RStockwhips • Bullwhips Black Snakewhips • Custom Whips KRIST KING P.O. Box 51 ARCHBOLD, OHIO 43502 419-445-4277 Cell Maker of World’s Longest Whip Cracked 184'6" Guinness Book of World Records 1993–2007Next >