The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

MT. PLEASANT, IOWA -- The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion had the city of Mt. Pleasant packed Labor Day weekend, as thousands from all over came to marvel the steam engines and tractors on display.

It's was glimpse of what is was like to live on the frontier in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

"We market ourselves as one of the biggest steam shows in the country, " said Terry McWilliams, the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion spokesperson. "We're right up there, one of the top 2 largest. We have over 90 some working steam engines on display."

The five day event featured steam engines, gas engines, saloon shows, and wild wild west shootouts that showcased what it was like to rob a train on the frontier back in wild, wild west era.

"This was a train holdup which the Dillions gang jumped on a train trying to rob the train and they came into town and the good guys defeated the outlaws again and thwarted their train ride," said Frosty Smith, an actor in the Wild West shootout.

It provided time for families to get together and for kids to learn about the past.

"Even though it was hot, I got to see a lot of old fashioned stuff and the train robbery was really cool," said Misbah Akbar, a student at the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment.

She was on field trip with her classmates and she said her favorite part of the train robbery was that everyone died in the end.

The Reunion also offered a chance to eat some home cooked meals.

"My favorite attraction is the food," said McWilliams. "We have 21 food vendors that are all local church and civic groups so it's all home cooked food. I eat my way around the grounds."

Since it's hard to get around and see the hundreds of steam engines and tractors on display, the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion hosted a daily parade where one can see all the exhibits while sitting in the shade at the grandstand.

At night, there were country music shows, starting at 8 p.m.  2011's reunion featured Joey + Rory, Jake Owen, and Marty Stuart.

"Jake Owen has the number 2 song on the charts in the country music industry," said McWilliams.

Admission to the Reunion and country music shows is $12 per day and $20 for multiple days. Kids 10 and under are free.