Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association 43rd Swap & Sell Meet

The Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association 43rd Swap & Sell Meet is an annual event held on the club grounds adjacent to the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland, Indiana. It features antique engines, tractors, and related parts with food available on-site, including breakfast. The 2025 event is scheduled for May 14-20 and requires paid admission.

The event is part of a longstanding tradition promoting the collection, restoration, and preservation of historical gas engines, gas and steam tractors, and power-driven farm machinery. It serves as a large swap meet where attendees can buy, sell, and trade antique engine and tractor parts, often described as having "almost anything you are looking for and more." The atmosphere is typical of agricultural and county fairs, with a focus on historical machinery enthusiasts.

Typical activities at the meet include:

• Swap and sell of antique engines, tractors, and parts.
• Food service by local groups providing breakfast and other meals onsite.
• Exhibits of restored gas engines and steam tractors.
• Demonstrations of vintage farm machinery in operation (not always at the swap meet but often part of related Tri-State events).

The swap meet usually spans several days in mid-May, typically Thursday through Sunday, allowing ample time for dealers and collectors to engage in trading and browsing.

The association itself was founded to promote the restoration and exhibition of historic farm equipment, having grown over decades into one of the largest such gatherings in the region. The 2025 meet marks the 43rd annual Swap & Sell Meet, while the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association’s main show is a larger event held later in the summer with additional features like tractor pulls and craft dealers.

The event vibe is a blend of rural Americana, nostalgia for historic farming machinery, and social community gathering. Vendors and collectors gather not just for commerce but also to celebrate heritage machinery and share expertise.

A rough schedule for the Swap & Sell Meet is generally:

• Early morning until evening: Vendors open their swap areas, trading parts and memorabilia.
• Breakfast and food served throughout the day.
• Interaction and demonstrations as available or scheduled by the association.
• Evening time may involve informal social gatherings among attendees.

The main Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association shows in August expand the range of activities to include tractor pulls, crafts, and other entertainment, but the May Swap & Sell is centered more on parts exchange and antique machinery sales.

Contact information includes a phone number (260-726-2031) and the official website tristategasenginetractor.com, which offers event flyers, historical information, and detailed schedules.

In summary, the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association 43rd Swap & Sell Meet is a key event in the antique engine and tractor community in Portland, Indiana, with a strong agricultural fair atmosphere, multiple days of parts trading, food services, and a focus on historic machinery preservation.