Thirty must be the magic number when it comes to steam and gas
festivals. Well, it seemed to be the magical number for the
Southeast Old Thresher’s Reunion held June 30-July 4, 2000, at
the Denton FarmPark. Visitors from 26 states and several foreign
countries made the event the largest in its history. Record numbers
of antique tractors and gasoline engines also arrayed the landscape
A new attraction this year was the museum building filled with
antique radios and memorabilia. Other attractions included: steam
shovel and steam crane, steam train rides, horse-powered treadmill,
operating cotton gin, country store and post office, shoe shop,
19th Century tramping barn, granary, blacksmith shop, slave house
and smokehouse, grist mill, church and a log cabin full of
antiques.
Power from steam and gas engines operated a threshing machine
and baler, the first combine ever used in North Carolina in
operation; plowing with a 1914 Aultman & Taylor 30-60
tractor.
Other demonstrations included: rock crusher, wood splitter, gold
ore stamping machine, giant 350 HP Bates-Corliss steam engine,
collies herding sheep twice each day, antique tractor pulls, horse
pull and lawnmower pull.
Children enjoyed the barnyard petting farm, pony rides and
games. Plenty of antiques, arts and crafts, and flea market items
were for sale. For the antique enthusiasts an auction was held on
Monday, July 3.
Come and join us for the 31st annual Reunion to be held June 30
-July 4, 2001, at the Denton FarmPark, Denton, North Carolina. For
more information please call or write: Denton FarmPark, 1366 Jim
Elliott Road, Denton, North Carolina 27230. Phone: 336-859-2755 or
336-859-3663.
Email: manager@threshers.com; Website: www.threshers.com
