Northern Illinois Steam Power Club's Steam Show and Threshing Bee kicks off in unique fashion

SYCAMORE – While most people were enjoying the opening day of the annual Northern Illinois Steam Power Club’s Steam Show and Threshing Bee on Thursday, Chris Chapman was very nervous.

But most men are on their wedding day.

The show, which lasts through Sunday at Taylor Marshall Farm off Plank Road in Sycamore, opened as it never had before: The steam engines, tractors, cars and other antique motors were the backdrop for Chapman and Cassandra Murray’s country-themed wedding consisting of bib overalls, cowgirl boots and straw hats.

At the grandstand along the parade route, the lovebirds recited their vows before God, family and many, many strangers.

“I feel better,” Chapman said after the ceremony was over. “It was neat having everybody involved in it. It was nice to see everybody happy doing it with us. It was cool to see.”

The annual event brings visitors from near and far to DeKalb County for a weekend of classic steam engines and other vehicles displayed alongside just-as-steamy corn on the cob and barbecue for rumbling bellies. The schedule has parades, music, antiques for sale, a petting zoo and other events.

As of Thursday afternoon, 1,970 people had attended the show’s opening day, and a bake sale and white elephant sale did great business, according to club secretary Pat Malsch.

“The weather helped,” Malsch said. “All in all, it was a great day for the first day.”

Before she could become Mrs. Cassandra Chapman, Murray had to get approval from the show’s board of directors – of which her father is a member – to briefly halt the parade along the grandstands for 12 minutes at most to have a condensed wedding ceremony that included all the traditional wedding details, including a flower girl (or in this case, a sawdust girl), ring protector, groomsmen and bridesmaids.

But not traditional bridal couture. Murray wore short blue-jean skirts, a white shirt, cowboy hat and a feathery garter around her cowboy boots. Chapman wore a button-down shirt, black jacket, cowboy hat and blue jeans. The rest of the men wore black shirts with a tuxedo print on them.

The bride was given away by her father Dave Stevens, who drove one of the first built and last remaining steam engines in Sycamore to a designated spot in front of the grandstands. The steam engine was built by the Illinois Thresher Co. around 1915 and is owned by the club.

The steam show has been a staple of the family for years, so the bride decided to have her big day there, she said.

“I thought I would be a nervous wreck, but I think the adrenaline kicked in and I was OK,” Cassandra Chapman said.

The vows were officiated by the Rev. Harlene Harden, an associate pastor at Sycamore United Methodist Church.

She was told the ceremony could only hold up the parade for 12 minutes, but it only took eight, Harden said.

As was everyone else’s in the wedding, her attire was traditional country.

“The farming community, I think, is important because that’s how I eat, and so I really appreciate farmers, and they’re hard-working people,” Harden said.

Joe Donohue of Bristol, Wisconsin, returned to the show this year with his nieces and nephews from Batavia after taking three years off. He said it’s worth the 90-mile trip.

“It’s a wonderful experience to see the old machines and see the care that goes into keeping them running,” he said.

Don Dhmke of Somonauk watched the parade away from the stands and didn’t even know there was a wedding, but said he’s appreciated going to the show “several” times over the years.

“I’m an old farm boy that likes the old tractors,” Dhmke said. “I can’t really say that I’ve seen a lot of change (at the event).We always liked it the way it was and steams should stay that way.”

At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a memorial service will be held for Phillip “Uncle Phil” Blanchard, a key member of the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club who died Aug. 1.

If you go
What: Sycamore Steam Show and Threshing Bee
When: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday
Where: Taylor Marshall Farm, 27707 Lukens Road
Information: http://www.threshingbee.org/
Admission: $7 for adults. Children younger than 12 are free. Parking is free.