CHOCOWINITY — Unlike a majority of his peers, Seth Hudson has a real affinity for anything rusty, banged up and past its prime.
Automobiles, farm equipment, motorcycles, even washing machines … they’ve all piqued his interest and inspired him to make them shiny and “new” again.
The 18-year-old Southside High School senior is the youngest member of the Eastern Antique Power Association, a Beaufort County-based group with the goal of keeping alive local traditions and preserving memories and artifacts from life down on the farm in the so-called “good old days.”
Nearly two years ago, Hudson spent the summer between his sophomore and junior years of high school undertaking an unusual project — the restoration of a circa 1937 gas powered Maytag washing machine that previously belonged to J.T. Griffin of the Farm Life community in Martin County. He sandblasted, primed and painted the rusting hulk of a machine and replaced its engine. Hudson proudly displayed the piece at a farm show in Denton, drawing the interest of an Amish family who eschewed the use of electricity. The gas powered washing machine met their needs and they asked Hudson if they could bring along some laundry on their next visit. He happily complied and the machine was soon put to good use.
More recently, Hudson undertook the restoration of a Honda Z 50 motorcycle he was given when he was just four years old. He rode it until he outgrew it, and then it was placed in storage. At the urging of his father, he spent countless hours sanding, painting and refurbishing the cycle, which now gleams just as it did the day it rolled off the showroom floor.  The restoration became his senior project for school.
Hudson and the other 40 or more members of EAPA will join together to host the group’s 17th annual farm equipment show May 11-12. Saturday’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the show continues Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will be held at 485 Bear Creek Rd., just off NC Highway 33 west of Chocowinity.
Admission is free and the public is invited. On tap will be pedal tractor races for the youngsters, a parade of power, slow tractor races, tractor pull and exhibits of memorabilia and relics from days gone by. Lending to the country fair atmosphere of the event will be the sale of hot dogs and hamburgers, funnel cakes, snow cones, fried pork skins, barbecue sandwiches and homemade ice cream.
A fundraising auction is planned for Saturday at noon, with the sales of baked goods and new, donated merchandise providing funds for another EAPA project, a family fun day held each October for developmentally and physically challenged children and adults.
Hudson says he doesn’t mind spending so much of his free time around men many years his senior.
“I enjoy going out there and hanging out and having fun. I enjoy having fun with all the old people,” he said with a laugh.
Hudson says his love of vintage things is a natural given that his father, Stan Hudson, is a founding member and current president of the EAPA.
When the farm show is over and with a high school diploma in hand, the younger Hudson will be ready to take on his next big project, the complete restoration of a 1967 Ford Mustang.
*For more information about the Eastern Antique Power Association and its upcoming show, contact Stan Hudson at (252) 945-6150.