Chuck Kuepfer Photo
TRACTOR PARADE — MP Harold Albrecht was among those participating in the all-colour antique tractor parade which wound its way through Elmira, Thursday. The parade helped kick off this year's 18th annual Waterloo County Steam Threshers Reunion, which features a full slate of events Friday and Saturday.
Chuck Kuepfer, Staff Reporter
The 18th annual Waterloo County Steam Threshers Reunion, an event that celebrates farming practices of year’s past, goes August 23-25.
The event features demonstrations of antique farm equipment and includes threshing, hay loading, ditching, cream separating, log sawing and more.
For the fourth straight year, the event is being held on Amsey Metzger’s farm located near Wallenstein at 7590, Line 86.
Metzger enjoys hosting the event.
“It’s always fun to see people show up, look around and enjoy themselves,” he said. “It’s good to show them the old equipment and the old machinery, and how threshing was done years ago.”
Along with steam threshing throughout the three-day event, there will be log saw demonstrations, a steam-powered machine that makes basket bottoms and a Model-T Ford with a belt and pulley that can actually saw wood, along with the annual all-colour antique tractor and equipment display.
“Massey Harris and Massey Ferguson is what we’re featuring this year,” said Metzger.
Events begins this morning (Thursday) with a tractor run from the Metzger farm to Elmira and back. While in Elmira, the tractors will parade past Chateau Gardens and Leisureworld.
Friday, a full slate of activities begins at 10 a.m.
There will be wagon rides, quilting and wood carving, as well as pony rides and a jumping castle for children.
Evening events feature an auction sale, entertainment by Greenwood Hills Gospel Bluegrass Singers and Gospel Echoes, and the popular corn roast.
Saturday’s events include a children’s tractor pull, along with other activities for both young and old alike.
Metzger indicated that all proceeds over and above expenses will be donated to St. Mary’s Hospital’s cardiac care centre and the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Raising funds for those in need at home and abroad is part of the Waterloo County Steam Threshers Reunion’s mission statement, as well as provide information and education on steam engines and other antique farm equipment for the public.
The daily price of admission is $5 per person or $15 per family.
More information about the event is available by calling Metzger at 519-572-1655 or online at www.waterloocountysteamthreshers.com.
