Events
Steam Threshers Reunion
Rollag celebration takes visitors a step back in time for 57th year
T
o gain perspective on the unique farming culture of the Midwest, and have plenty of fun at the same time, come to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag on Sept. 3-6. Ellis Aakre, president of the Reunion, has high hopes for the event’s 57th year. “It’s a great family event,” Aakre said. “You’ll find 50-plus steam engines and hundreds of gas tractors at the reunion this year,” he added. “There’s hundreds of gas engines up there,” Aakre added. Also, there will be three full-scale sawmills running constantly, actively threshing. Besides the main attraction — farm equipment — there will be lots of other attractions at the Reunion. “Its not just a matter of walking up and down rows and looking at equipment.” Aakre added that there will be “great family entertainment,” and “lots for the young and the old to do ... There’s plenty of happenings.” Among the events at this year’s Steam Thresher’s Reunion, there will be a Thresherman’s Breakfast every morning, starting at 6 a.m; traditional fiddle music and the like playing to packed venues every night until early morning; and two parades every day: one in the morning and one in mid-afternoon. New this year, a swap meet will be going on throughout the Reunion, in which patrons can buy and trade tractor parts, manuals, and anything related in any way to the Reunion. Also, there will be a rather unique “Spark Show,” which features steam engines blowing sparks into the air. Aakre referred to it as “our version of the 4th of July.” “They put on quite a show,” he added. “People really 8 | SUMMER SCENE | SEPTEMBER 2010
enjoy watching that.” There’s even something for the kids — a steam powered merry-go-round, and a miniature steam train. Aakre mentioned, though, that many adults are attracted to these attractions as well. This year’s Reunion is an Expo year — which occurs every other year and means a specific equipment line will be featured above other lines. This year’s featured line is Allis Chalmer’s Large Equipment Line. “That will be our featured line of equipment this year,” Aakre said. The committee chairperson for the Expo Year is Eileen Todahl. The daily pass for the Rollag Steam Thresher’s Reunion is $12, and the “season pass,”good for all four days, is $20. Kids 14 and under are admitted free. Once admitted, any entertainment on the grounds throughout the event is free. As a bonus, all attendees get free transportation throughout the grounds, which is significant since the Reunion happens on a space of 120 acres. Volunteers have been preparing for the Reunion for weeks, so one should expect a clean, efficient, and impressive environment. “Our members have been very busy these past few weeks getting ready for the show,” Aakre said. “We have added a few new buildings and things like that.” Primitive camping is available for $35, and there will be improved facilities this year. Rollag is centrally located between Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Fargo. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Ellis Aakre at 218-790-1369, or visit online at www.rollag. com. (Photo courtsy of Tim Dachtera).
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