Old Thresher's Reunion facts for kids
The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion is a super fun yearly event in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, USA. It lasts for five days, ending on the Labor Day weekend. This awesome gathering first started way back in 1950! It has happened every year since, except for 2020, when it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When it first began, the event was all about cool old steam engines and antique farm machines. But over the years, it has grown into a huge entertainment festival with lots more to see and do! Even though Mt. Pleasant is a tiny town with less than 10,000 people, thousands of visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the Reunion. People love to see the special exhibits that are always there, plus the amazing collections of old steam-powered equipment that visitors bring to show off.
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What to See at the Reunion
The Old Threshers Reunion has many cool things to explore. Some exhibits are open all year, and others are special for the event.
Heritage Museum
The Heritage Museum is a great place to visit any time of year. It has many exhibits that show what life was like in the countryside of the Midwest a long time ago. You can learn about farming, tools, and how people lived.
Stationary Steam Engines
Check out the amazing Stationary steam engine exhibit! It has three huge engines called Corliss engines. These are very powerful machines that used steam to make things move. There are also many smaller engines to see.
Midwest Electric Railway
All aboard! The Midwest Electric Railway runs a 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge trolley line. This trolley takes you all around the reunion grounds. You can ride on beautifully restored trolleys from Iowa, like Waterloo Car 381. This was the very last trolley to run for people in Iowa! There are also cool cars from far away places like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Milan, Italy.
Midwest Central Railroad
Get ready for a train ride! The Midwest Central Railroad has a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge train. This means the tracks are narrower than regular train tracks. The train goes around the main exhibit area. One of its special engines is a Class C Shay locomotive. This type of engine was often used in logging. Other engines include two 2-6-0 Baldwin engines that used to work on logging railroads. There's also a German 0-4-0 engine built by Henschel & Son. For daily trips, they use two Plymouth Locomotive Works diesel engines and a Vulcan Iron Works gasoline engine.
Besides the Reunion, the Midwest Central Railroad also has special events. You can ride the train during Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas celebrations!
Hazel Grace Pierson Carousel
Don't miss "The Smile Machine"! This is a beautiful, fully restored antique carousel. It's powered by a Herschell-Spillman steam engine that is over 100 years old! The carousel has classic rocking horses and even a Military Band Organ that plays music.
Fun During the Reunion
During the Old Threshers show, there are many exciting things happening. The village and train station at Snipe Run are always busy. The log village at the end of the trolley line is also a lively spot.
Exhibit Areas
You can explore different areas dedicated to antique engines. These include small steam engines, big steam traction engines, and gas engines. Other cool exhibits feature old cars and trucks, and how antique engines were used in different jobs. You can also see displays of masonry (building with stone), textiles (fabrics), and handmade arts. And of course, there are lots of food stands with yummy treats!
Daily Parade and Shows
Every day at noon during the Reunion, there's a big "Parade of Power." All the working steam and gas engines drive by the grandstand. It's an amazing sight!
In the early evening, the Schaffner Players put on an old-fashioned "Toby and Susie" play in the Theatre Museum. After the play, there's a concert in the pavilion. Many famous musicians have performed here, including Minnie Pearl, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash & June Carter, Kenny Rogers, Brad Paisley, Willie Nelson, and LeAnn Rimes.
More Information
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