Portersville Steam Show makes welcome return
The Portersville Steam Show's first full warm-weather appearance in two years was, to attendees, a tremendous return for the triannual event.
John Cooney, a blown glass vendor from Slippery Rock, said the turnout at the past weekend's event was “phenomenal.”
“Everyone is glad to be out in this amazing weather,” Cooney said, contrasting with the fall steam show of 2020. “I was below average for certain. People were wary of coming out. Obviously that's not the same this year.”
And Don Fuechslin, show president, agreed. While he said October's event was good, he said the turnout was nothing compared to the past weekend's event.“Today was bigger. We ran out of parking” and had to open more space, Fuechslin said. “It's one of our best.”In fact, both Fuechslin and his wife, Becky, said, the turnout on Saturday was exceptional. There was more parking to be handled Saturday than the organizers would see both weekend days.“It was the best we ever had,” Fuechslin said.As for the weather? It couldn't have been better. Combined with the easing pandemic restrictions, too, attendees were treated to a nice weekend.
“It's a perfect combination,” Bill Kwolek said. “We got a great weekend and everyone's relaxing now. It couldn't be better.”For Kwolek, who's been attending the shows since the 1960s with his collection of wheel horse tractors, this spring's event was “excellent,” even in comparison to years past.And to Steve White, a longtime Portersville-area resident and first-year flea market seller, it seemed to be a glimpse into what a post-COVID Butler County will look like.“It's nice,” he said. “There's a lot of people, a lot of participation.”
