Record number attend annual threshing days
More than 2,000 spectators converged on Goessel this past weekend for the 31st annual Country Threshing Days.
Exhibitors came from eight states to show antique farm tractors, implements, and engines.
Demonstrations of farming techniques were shown from nearly 100 years ago.
Educational presentations also were presented. "Voices from the past" featured historical people from the Goessel community.
Music, food, and fellowship were other attractions to this festival that celebrated heritage and history.
Dan White on the musical saw, the gospel music of Jake Schmidt, piano comedy and story telling of Ken Rodgers, and singing and reminiscing with the Wedel Brothers kept crowds entertained throughout the weekend. A Sunday morning worship service featured Pastor Steve Conrad as the speaker and special music by the Thresermens' Chorus. Kansas Prairie Strings also performed Sunday afternoon.
Traditional low German food of verenika with ham gravy, sausage, zwiebach, cherry moos, and bierrocks was served. Other food vendors provided ham sandwiches, New Year's cookies, barbecued brisket sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs.
A steam engine fireworks display was shown Friday evening. Sawdust was placed in a steam engine firebox on a bed of live coals. The sawdust was heated and began to smolder, drawing the burning sawdust out of the stack, providing the colorful display.
Threshing, combining, plowing, and baling demonstrations were held Saturday and Sunday.
The thresher was used when grain had ripened on the shocks and was removed from the stalks. The thresher required much manual labor, with each member having a specific job.
The steam engine or tractor was set up close to the grain field or where the farmer wanted to have the straw blown.
A team of workers, called bundle haulers, would go into the field and loaded shocks onto a horse-drawn wagon.
Men stood on top of the wagon and pitched the grain bundles into the thresher's bundle feeder. The conveyer would transport the grain bundles into the thresher's cylinder where most of the grain was separated from the stalks.
The separated grain fell to the bottom of the thresher while chaff and dust was removed by a fan as it descended.
An elevator on the thresher then transported the loose grain to a grain wagon parked nearby or into individual bags.
After the straw went through the cylinder, it was continually battered as it progressed to ensure all of the grain was removed from the stalks to be stored and used later for flour.
At the rear of the thresher, a fan housing propelled the straw through the blower and into the straw stack.
The demonstrations included the flail, a horse-drawn threshing stone, tractor and steam engine-powered thresher, and the combine.
Prairie tractors from 1805-1815 were on display and used for various demonstrations. These tractors were used for "breaking through" the rough fields.
Blacksmiths and loggers demonstrated their skills.
Children were able to participate in hands-on activities. A bale maze, petting zoo, stilt walking, pedal tractor pool, and games were provided.
Cow chip throwing, watermelon seed spitting, egg toss, water balloon toss, and watermelon eating contests were held.
Household demonstrations of spinning, knitting, quilting, and baking were shown.
The Mennonite Heritage Museum was open throughout the weekend with special exhibits.
Anita Goertzen, Goessel City Clerk and a member of the event committee, said it was a successful show.
"There were more in attendance than last year," said Goertzen. Saturday had the highest attendance.
Goertzen credited other members of the committee, comprised of two members of the Wheat Heritage Engine and Threshing Company, two members of the Mennonite Heritage Museum, and two community members.
"The museum has to take the credit for doing the contests and kids' activities," said Goertzen.
She also credited the wheat company members for preparing the grounds and placement of the tractors. The company also was responsible for the demonstrations.
"We saw a tremendous amount of work on their part," said Goertzen.
Other people Goertzen acknowledged were Darlene Schroeder, museum director, who organized the exhibits, Aileen Esau for organizing the food, and Mary Ediger for organizing the children's contests.
"Overall, there were more than 500 volunteers and participants," Goertzen said.
Goertzen added the show gets better and better every year.
