Staff writer
Over 100 exhibitors from seven states will present old-fashioned farm equipment at Country Threshing Days this weekend in Goessel.
“It’s a large show with a small rural town atmosphere,” said Russ Hamm, president of Wheat Heritage Engine and Threshing Company, Inc. “Most of the machinery dates between the 1910s and the 1950s.”
In its 42nd year, the event will feature collections of Prairie tractors and stationary “hit and miss” engines.
“Prairie tractors were huge steel-wheeled tractors that were used to break the prairie grass in the early days,” Hamm said. “Jerry Toews will demonstrate what it took to run them.”
The Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum will be open. Three square meals of traditional Mennonite food will be served each day in Wheat Hall. Other festival cuisine also will be available during the event.
Gates open Friday at noon with sawmill demonstrations.
The large engines fire up between 2 and 4 p.m. Threshing demonstrations start at 3 p.m. Field demonstrations, including wheat and corn binding, corn shelling, and plowing, start at 3:30 p.m. Large engines will fire up each day at different times.
On Saturday, a parade on Main St. starts at 9:30 a.m. Patrons can witness antique farm equipment putter and roar.
Hamm said Uncle Milt’s Shed would have numerous farm-oriented children’s activities.
He said kids would be able to shell corn using a machine that separates corn kernels from corncobs.
Threshing demonstrations will be held at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Field demonstrations will be at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. A prairie tractor start-up is at 12:30 p.m. large engines start-up from 2 to 4 p.m. and the “Parade of Power” is at 3:30 p.m.
Cindy Sigmond will give an arts and crafts demonstration titled “Landscape in Acrylics” at 2 p.m. in Wheat Hall.
Kids can compete in a pedal tractor pull that starts at 2 p.m. Participants must register by 1 p.m.
There is a four-on-four sand volleyball tournament Saturday and Sunday in the West Branch Park. Sunday also offers more activities and entertainment. A complete event schedule is available at www.wheatco.org.