Letting off Steam

A REALLY BIG SHOW

This year’s Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, has come and gone, and if previous years are any guide, somewhere north of 110,000 lovers of old iron and farm history strolled through the show grounds, breathing in the sights and sounds the show has been offering for the past 55 years.

The show was a special one for us, because in conjunction with sister publications Farm Collector and Gas Engine Magazine we joined in as official sponsors, setting up shop across from the Mt. Pleasant show headquarters.

Never before have we witnessed the sheer number of people who came through our tent. And whether they visited our tent as first-time subscribers or simply to meet the editors and talk about the magazines, a more enthusiastic, interesting group of people would be hard to imagine.

From the oldest to the youngest, every person we spoke to was reveling in the show. And how could they not? All you had to do was walk around the grounds and soak in the scenery, witnessing equipment ranging from tiny scale engines to huge Avery undermount steam traction engines. The process put a smile on every farm equipment lovers face.

And the show sure put smiles on our faces; the words of support and encouragement we heard over and over overwhelmed us. Old iron lovers are a special breed, and a weekend at Mt. Pleasant, or any good show, reaffirms the special bond we all secure with each other by virtue of our shared interests. We might come from many different backgrounds, with many different beliefs, but when we collect in one place, it’s to share our passion for the engines and equipment we nurture and restore. Let’s hope that never ends.