MOUNT PLEASANT – Iowa has many historical and community driven events and celebrations. From the Iowa State Fair, all the way up to the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, Iowans have banded together as a community to awe and inspire all who come to the state that we call home. History shows that Iowa fed America.
When we look at this statement, statistics show that Iowa is first and leading in beef, pork, corn, soybean and grain production. Iowa also lays claim to the fact that one Iowa family farm grows enough food and fiber to feed 279 people. This is all thanks to farmers, and what’s a farmer without his/her tools and machines.
One such event begins tomorrow and runs through Monday in Mount Pleasant – the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion that focuses on the farmers as well as the machines used by farmers not only to plant and harvest the crops, but also to transport those foods. From simple tractors to high powered steam locomotives, Old Threshers brings these once crucial machines to life for anyone who comes to the event. There many unsung heroes that work behind the scenes to pull off the community landmark event each year, like CEO Terry McWilliams, who was eager to shine the light on those who work hard for weeks getting all the machines and attraction s set up.
“I started doing public relations and marketing for Old Threshers in 2001 and carried that position until 2014 when the former CEO Moore passed away,” he said. The first Old Threshers started in 1950, 19 years before McWilliams was born, yet despite not being alive at the events inception, when asked if he likes the job at Old Threshers, he agreed that he does without hesitation. “Old Threshers was started when a few gentlemen went over to Pontiac, Illinois to see a steam show and when they got back to Mount Pleasant they spoke to each other and said “we’ve got those here”, and so they decided to do a show in McMillan Park.
The first flyer posted up said ‘The First Annual Old Threshers’ showing they were very positive this event would be back for many generations to come.” But for McWilliams, he says the people are his favorite part of being involved in the event. “It is a reunion and it only happens once a year, so I only get to see these people once a year, so for me that’s the cool part.
” The other favorite part is obviously the food and McWilliams says, “you’ve gotta eat your way around the grounds.” A positive attitude is one of the qualities that can be seen in many of the individuals who work for Old Threshers. These people, like Terry McWilliams, are the ones that deserve the most recognition when it comes to bringing this event to life.
Many times the people behind the scenes go unnoticed and people forget to thank or think of the people who work so hard to get things up and running While the reunion begins Thursday, Aug. 29, the Harvest Day parade at 3;30 p.m.
today (Aug. 28) kicks off the festivities in downtown Mount Pleasant. Attendees will get a taste of the Reunion by seeing cars and trucks, marching bands, tractors, steam engines, Sweet 16 candidates, horses, and more.
2024 Old Threshers Reunion As in years passed, this year’s Old Threshers is jammed-pack with activities, displays, food options and entertainment from early morning to 11 p.m. and is a family-friendly event.
For example, one can take a ride around the 1.25 mile-loop around the Reunion Show Grounds. Trains depart from the North Station at the north end of the grounds in the North Village and the MCRR Museum and Education Center north of Heritage Museum B.
Round Trip tickets are $5 per person (kids age 4 and under ride free). Or, take a ride on ‘The Smile Machine” – a fully-restored antique carousel – while listening to the music from the Military Band Organ. Be sure to get the youngsters to Nick’s Kids Show, which is scheduled a couple of times each day in the Kids Area in the North Village, and The Chris Short Puppet Show where Muppet-type characters perform to choreographed music ranging from the Big Band Era to 50’s Rock n’ Roll.
Each day during the event, visitors gather at the grandstand to watch the Cavalcade of Power. Steam engines, cars and trucks, tractors and horses parade past in a living historical timeline, however the Cavalcade of Power is held depending on the weather and condition of the parade route. Entertainment There are three areas on the Old Threshers ground featuring free entertainment – the Family Tent, Dance Barn and Museum Gazebo.
Entertainers during the four-day event include The Wissman Family, Steve Hargis, The Punches, Junior Talley, Lena Adams, Linc and The Drifters, Party of Four, The Pipe Band, the Many More Band, Trent Prewitt. Jake McVey, The Kenastons, Happy Memories, The Nameless Trio, Troublesome Creek, Jim Perron and many more. Grandstand Entertainment Old Threshers is also known for bringing big names in country music to the region and the tradition continues this year with the iconic Oak Ridge Boys performing at 8 p.
m. Thursday, Aug. 29.
The group has charted single after single and album after album – gold, platinum, and double-platinum, and more than 30 Top 10 hits, including No. 1 chart-toppers “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “American Made,” and “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” among dozens more. On Friday, Aug.
, 30, Chris Cagle comes to the grandstand stage. Concert goers will hear his many hits, including “My Love Goes On And On,” “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” “What a Beautiful Day,” and “Chicks Dig it.” LOCASH, known for its platinum breakout, “I Love This Life” and their first gold hit, ‘I Know Somebody,” take the stage Saturday, Aug.
31. They have earned eight charting singles and two successful albums. And Sunday, Sept.
1, The Frontmen take the main stage and promise to bring a “rollercoaster of 90s nostalgic smash hits” to life. The group worked their magic with such hits as “The Bluest Eyes in Texas,” “Amazed” and “God Blessed Texas,” when on tour with Alabama and kick-started the Harley-Davidson crowd in Deadwood, South Dakota. All the country music shows are free with the purchase of a gate admission to the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.
The seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve seating can be purchased for $15 per person per show..
