For a unique way to experience Utah history this summer, consider visiting the quiet town of Wallsburg. Summer calendars are always packed with events, particularly in Utah, but few offer the charm, history, and hands-on fun you'll find in this lesser-known corner of the state.
Tucked away in a beautiful mountain valley, this throwback event brings history to life with steam, smoke, and the sounds of antique engines chugging back into action.
The Antique and Classic Power Show has a wide variety of activities, like hands-on demonstrations, one-of-a-kind machinery, scenic camping, and the kind of small-town charm that invites you to slow down.
Here are five reasons it deserves a spot on your family's summer bucket list:
Generations can bond in a fun environment
Whether you're five or eighty-five, there's something at the Antique Power Show to spark curiosity and conversation. Grandparents can share stories sparked by familiar engines and vintage tools, while younger generations explore the innovations that paved the way for the technology they love today.
Families can ride a stagecoach, hop on the mini train, or gather around for live blacksmithing demos and roaring tractor pulls. From military reenactments to hands-on exhibits and a working pioneer village, this nostalgic show brings history to life in a way that's engaging for every age.
It's exactly what Richard and Rita Erickson had in mind when they started the Foundation in 1999: a place where families can learn and connect by discovering early American innovation, preserved and celebrated for the next generation.
Marvel at legendary cars, motorcycles, and machines
You don't have to be a car expert to appreciate what's parked at the Antique Power Show. From muscle cars and vintage trucks to early motorcycles and rare tractors, the vehicles here are full of stories.
You'll see the actual motorcycle Steve McQueen rode and the classic Mercury Convertible from the movie Bugsy. These pieces are part of a working collection, kept in running condition and cared for by people who love restoring history.
There's something exciting about seeing the machines your grandparents might have driven, the trucks that once worked Utah's farms, or the kinds of bikes that helped launch American road culture.
With over 150 antique motorcycles and a full range of classic cars on display, kids and adults alike will find something that sparks their imagination, even if they've never held a wrench.
Hands-on experiences for future engineers, mechanics, and makers
If your kids (or grown-ups) love building, tinkering, or asking how things work, the Antique Power Show is a dream come true. From scale models and piston-powered engines to live demonstrations of belt-driven sawmills and blacksmithing, this event turns mechanical history into an immersive, hands-on experience.
Young visitors can explore the origins of the technology we rely on today. They will learn how early innovators powered farms, built homes, and revolutionized transportation. Watch a working shingle mill in action, see a hit-and-miss engine fire up, or find out how lath and plaster shaped homes before drywall took over.
The Richard W. Erickson Foundation's goal has always been to preserve history in a way that educates and inspires future generations, and during this once-a-year event, you and your family will see that vision come to life.
You need an escape from the city
Sometimes the best memories are made by getting out of your routine and off the grid. The Antique Power Show offers a perfect excuse to take a scenic drive through Provo Canyon and into the peaceful beauty of Wallsburg Valley. Surrounded by mountains and meadows, this small town is a fun and welcome contrast to the busy I-15 corridor.
Families can make a full weekend out of it with RV and tent camping on-site, complete with evening entertainment and stunning views. Whether you're enjoying a quiet morning with hot cocoa in hand or hearing antique engines echo through the hills, it's a chance to trade traffic and screens for fresh air and wide-open spaces.
It only happens once a year
Unlike a museum you can visit year-round, The Richard W. Erickson Antique & Classic Power Museum is only open to the public at select events throughout the summer.
That's part of what makes it so special.
During the Antique Power Show, the Foundation showcases its full collection of rare machinery and working displays—many of which aren't available to see in operation at any other time. When it's over, you'll have to wait a whole year to do it again.
For details on tickets and scheduling, visit rwefmuseum.simpletix.com.
