Doughty Valley Steam Days chugs into Charm

Everyone needs to let off a little steam sometimes.

Why not let a time-honored treasure of an event let it off for you?

For a quarter century, Doughty Valley Steam Days has delighted young and old alike in presenting a steam-driven event that features everything from horse and tractor pulls to the sparks display in the evening and even a grinding tug-of-war between men and machine.

This year’s event will once again be nestled in Ohio Amish Country's rolling hills July 24-26 at 5023 state Route 557, just north of Charm.

This year marks Doughty Valley Steam Days’ 25th anniversary, and what this event has continued to roll out year after year hearkens back to more than one century ago when steam ruled the roost for generating power, plowing fields, sawing lumber and more.

Doughty Valley Steam Days has remained committed to presenting an old-time steam show with a working sawmill, threshing, antique tractors, toy models, small engines, a flea market, oil field engines, a horse pull, a tractor pull and more.

The invention of the steam engine was a transformative milestone in human history, serving as a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution and laying the foundation for modern industrial society. Steam engines harnessed the power of steam to perform mechanical work, revolutionizing transportation, manufacturing and agriculture. Their impact extended far beyond mere mechanics; they reshaped economies and redefined the pace and scale of production.

Prior to the steam engine, industries relied heavily on water, wind, or human and animal labor, all of which had limitations in terms of location and reliability. The steam engine liberated factories from riversides, enabling them to operate anywhere coal could be delivered. This flexibility fueled rapid industrial expansion and helped birth entirely new industries. In transportation, steam engines powered locomotives and ships, dramatically reducing travel time, enhancing trade and connecting regions in ways previously unimaginable.

Moreover, steam technology spurred innovation across sectors. It enabled mechanized farming tools that increased food production, supported mining operations by pumping water from deep shafts, and laid the groundwork for modern thermodynamics and engineering disciplines. The efficiency and power of steam engines played a vital role in supporting population growth, rising standards of living and global economic development.

The steam engine’s legacy persists today, not only in the continued use of steam in modern turbines for electricity generation, but also in the spirit of innovation it represents. It stands as a symbol of human ingenuity — demonstrating how one invention can ripple across every facet of civilization, transforming the world and opening doors to further technological progress.

While steam may have been surpassed by other forms of power over the decades, it remains a favorite of many, and for some, it marks a time in life when steam drove the world, so it presents a bit of nostalgia.

Doughty Valley Steam Days is filled with activities for the whole family. There is plenty to do and see including displays and demonstrations that show how powerful steam is.

Each year DVSD highlights specific brands, with this year’s focus on Case tractors and Maytag small engine products.

Daily activities include threshing, a baker fan, a sawmill and baling demonstrations, a flea market, a shingle mill, antique tractors, gas engines, oil field engines, and food by local vendors such as homemade ice cream, kettle corn, homemade pretzels, Byler’s Real Barbecue, chicken, pork ribs and more.

Thursday, July 24 will host the antique consignment auction at 3 p.m., a draft pony and draft horse pull at 5 p.m., and local music at 7 p.m.

The draft horse pull is a highlight, with cash prizes for the top 10 placers in both the lightweight and heavyweight class pulls.

Friday, July 25 will see the old-fashioned tractor pull with two sleds at 5 p.m., local music at 7 p.m. and the always-popular sparks show at dusk, where these steam beasts will spit out a show of glowing sparks that will float up into the night sky.

Saturday, July 26 will host the mini pony pull at 9 a.m. and the garden tractor parade at 10 a.m.

The gates will open each day at 7:30 a.m., with admission $5 per person and those 12 and under free.