Windmill enthusiasts from 22 states and Canada traveled to Colorado to participate in the 26th annual International Windmillersí Trade Fair at the El Paso County fairgrounds in Calhan, Colorado, June 10 through June 12.The Balsick family, Falcon residents, hosted this yearís event. Kristin Balsick described attendees as ìpeople who like windmills.î She added that the group is ìfriendlyî and the event is ìlike a big family reunion.îBalsickís in-laws, Ray and Louise Balsick, have been restoring windmills for years and involved in the trade show for about 26 years. Ray Balsickís interest in windmills began not as a hobby but as a matter of practicality. ìWhen I was little, thatís what pumped water for us,î he said. His family had no electricity. ìYou either pump the handle or have a windmill.î Later in life, he restored a windmill. ìAnd the rest just follow me home,î Balsick said.To the east of U.S. Highway 24, just north of Woodmen Road, Balsickís collection of windmills is highly visible. Balsick just restored an original Monitor windmill, which soon will be added to the collection. The Monitor was on display at the trade fair, alongside a Mishler windmill restored byBalsickís grandson, Garrett.Another windmill enthusiast, Bill Paloutzian from Shaver Lake, California, said his collection began with a single windmill. He said that all his life he wanted a windmill, a tank house and an old barn. ìI was driving in Madera County and noticed land that was being converted to commercial use,î he said. ìI stopped to ask if I could buy it (the windmill).î The owner wanted $400 for it. ìI went back to get my trailer; and, when I got back, the windmill had been inadvertently pushed over because it was tethered to a tank house they demolished.î He still bought the windmill for the same price. ìI bought it, straightened it up, built a wooden tower and that was the beginning,î Plaoutzian said. ìIt just snowballed from there.î He now has 30 windmills erected onhis second property in Auberry, California.Kristin Balsick said the annual trade fairs are run by volunteers. The group is not registered as a nonprofit association. ìItís nothing really official,î Balsick said. The windmillers select the location for trade fairs during their business meeting, which is held during the event. Next year, the fair will be in Rochester, Minnesota.Every year, participants get together for an ice cream social, a banquet and a barbecue ó each take place on different days of the fair. Balsick said that traditionally each trade fair has commemorative collectorsí pins, miniature windmills with trade fair logos on the tail and T-shirts for sale. They also hold a raffle for a handmade windmill quilt.Local businesses contributed to the trade fair through financial contributions toward expenses like grounds rental; others donated items such as water bottles and ice cream.
