STURGIS - Familiar standbys peppered the parade route at the Black Hills Steam & Gas Threshing Bee.

Saturday's lineup included a Deluxe Case Steamer, which the Sturgis-based Western Dakota Antique Club owns. Todd Jacobs drove a 1917 Waterloo Steamer that boasts 16 horsepower on the ground and 46 horsepower on the pulley.

A 1919 Avery 25-50 also attracted the attention of attendees, including Rapid City's Mark Benson.

"I used to farm, but I still get a big kick out of it," he said while examining the engine.

Benson returns every year to see the variety of engines, tractors and displays. He also enjoys the logging and threshing demonstrations held throughout the weekend.

"Once you look, they're pretty simple and straight-forward," Benson said of the earlier engines. He said lots of work was involved, and a speed of 3 mph was considered a pretty good pace.

The machines run just as well as they did when new, Benson said. He hopes the younger generation will pick up on the tradition.

Dave Mann of Oelrichs has exhibited at the bee for five years. He drove a 1937 McCormick Deering 2236 in the parade.

"I liked the steamers and the different makes of tractors," Mann said of his first trip here. "This is the biggest show in the region."

Mann owns about 20 tractors and said the McCormick Deering requires a lot of upkeep. He had to repair the radiator and carburetor this year; regular maintenance includes oil and grease.

The bee holds a lot of appeal for Mann, who especially enjoys the tractor pull.

"It takes three hours to 30 days of preparation, and you're done in 30 seconds," he said. "If you're furthest down the track, it's worth it."

Mann moved to South Dakota 10 years ago to teach. He found old cars too expensive, so he switched to tractors.

"I want to see equipment do what it's supposed to," Mann said. He uses an old tractor and plow to plant his garden.

His interest in tractors started when he visited a museum in Denver, Colo., several years ago. The facility occupied 10 to 12 acres and gave demonstrations on plowing and disking. Personnel used horses and oxen to work with corn, wheat and other plants.

"That fascinated the heck out of me," Mann said of the animal applications. "I suppose working for two to five days in mid-August, when it's 110 degrees outside, would kind of take the polish off it."

The bee runs through today at the club grounds, located a half-mile east of Sturgis along Alkali Road.

IF YOU GO

What: Black Hills Steam & Gas Threshing Bee

When: Activities begin at 7 a.m. today

Where: Western Dakota Antique Club Grounds, Alkali Road off S.D. Highway 34, just past the Sturgis Airport

More: As part of the event, the Black Hills Tractor Drive will be held at 9 a.m., leaving from Hersrud's of Sturgis.