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 and finishes on the Labor Day weekend. This exciting reunion first started way back in 1950! It has happened every year since then, except for 2020 when it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When it first began, the event was all about old steam engines and antique farm machines. But over the years, it has grown into a huge entertainment festival. Thousands of people from all over the world visit Mt. Pleasant, a city with less than 10,000 residents, to see the amazing exhibits and collections. Visitors love both the permanent displays and the cool old steam-powered equipment that people bring to show off.
Explore the Permanent Exhibits
The Old Threshers Reunion grounds have many cool things to see all year round. These exhibits help us learn about the history of farming and rural life in the Midwest.
Heritage Museum: A Look Back in Time
The Heritage Museum is open all year. It has lots of exhibits that show what life was like in the Midwest long ago. You can learn about the history of farming and how people lived.
Giant Steam Engines on Display
The Stationary steam engine exhibit features three very large Corliss engines. These are huge steam-powered machines that were used in factories and mills. There are also many smaller engines to see.
Ride the Electric Trolley
The Midwest Electric Railway operates a 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge trolley line. You can ride these electric streetcars all around the reunion campground! Many of the trolleys are beautifully restored. One special trolley is Waterloo Car 381, which was the very last trolley to run for the public in Iowa. Another is Car 9 from the Albia Interurban Line. You can also see Car 320, a lovely wooden interurban car from Illinois. Some amazing trolleys even come from far away places like Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Milan, Italy!
Take a Trip on the Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Midwest Central Railroad runs a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railway. This means the tracks are closer together than regular train tracks. You can ride this train around the reunion exhibit area. One of the coolest 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. These trains used to work on logging railroads in the eastern United States. There is also a German 0-4-0 engine built by Henschel & Son. For everyday use, they have two diesel engines and a gasoline engine. Besides the reunion, the Midwest Central Railroad also has public events for Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas.
Spin Around on the Antique Carousel
The Hazel Grace Pierson Carousel Pavilion is home to a beautiful, fully restored antique carousel. This amazing "Smile Machine" is powered by a Herschell-Spillman steam engine that is over 100 years old! The carousel has a Military Band Organ that plays music, along with all the classic rocking horses.
Fun at the Reunion Venues
During the show, there are many exciting places to visit. The village and train station at Snipe Run, on the north side of the grounds, are always busy. The log village at the south end of the trolley line is also a lively spot.
Explore Different Exhibit Areas
Special areas are set aside for different types of antique engines. You can see small steam engines, large steam traction engines (like old tractors), and gas engines. Other cool exhibits include antique cars and trucks, and displays showing how old engines were used. You can also find areas for masonry (building with bricks and stone), textile arts (like weaving), handmade crafts, and lots of food stands!
Daily Parade of Power
Every day at noon during the reunion, there is a special "parade of power." All the working steam and gas traction engines drive by the grandstand. It's a fantastic sight to see these powerful old machines in action!
Evening Entertainment and Concerts
Every night of the reunion week, there are two main events. In the early evening, the Schaffner Players perform an old "Toby and Susie" play in the Theatre Museum. After the play, there is a concert in the pavilion. Many famous musicians have performed on the pavilion stage over the years. Some of these include Minnie Pearl, Leroy Van Dyke, Tammy Wynette, George Strait, Johnny Cash & June Carter, Kenny Rogers, Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, Willie Nelson, and LeAnn Rimes.
Images for kids
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Midwest Central train pulling into Snipe Runn station.
