Edendale (pop 570) is a village which straddles State Highway 1 half way between Invercargill and Gore.
For 363 days of the years it is best known as the home of one of dairy giant Fonterra’s largest dairy factories featuring the world’s largest and most efficient milk powder drier.
For the other two days – and this year those days were Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 01 - Edendale is home to the local Vintage Machinery Club’s annual Crank Up, now in its 28th year.
On one level the Crank Up, a gathering of all things mechanical at the Edendale Recreational Grounds, is just that, a chance for local vintage machinery enthusiasts to get together and – literally – let off steam.
On the other it is an event that transcends easy description, being a kind of steam punk-style mash-up of all things and people old, new and in-between.
By being inclusive rather than exclusive the members of the organising committee have made sure there is something for everyone, from vehicles and implements of all shapes and sizes to shearing, marching and FMX displays complete with celebrity guests like Colin Meads, TV Chef Mike Van de Elzen and – this year – TV crime show host, retired former Detective Inspector Graham Bell.
As local man David Clark told The Southland Times this year, the event had come a long way from just a small group of vintage lovers in someone’s paddock!
To read the full story in the April 2015 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (on sale March 23) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
