MT PLEASANT, IOWA -- Labor Day weekend meant it was time for the annual Old Thresher’s Reunion in Mt. Pleasant. The 2010 reunion wrapped up Sept. 6.
The whistles sounded at noon, signaling it was time for the final Cavalcade of Power, a parade of older cars, tractors and horses.
“Midwest Old Threshers was started in 1950; we're celebrating our 60th anniversary with this show,” said Terry McWilliams, Old Thresher’s Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator. “Some gentleman from here in Henry County went over to a show in Illinois, enjoyed that, came back in 1949 and said, 'You know, we should have one of those here in Mt. Pleasant; we have a lot of steam engines around Henry County,’ and the first was started in 1950."
Everyone stood for the singing of the National Anthem, then the cars, trains and horses were off around the track one last time for the 2010 reunion.
“This year has been a great turnout,” said McWilliams. “We've had beautiful weather, we've had a little rain on Thursday, and a little rain this morning and on Sunday, but it hasn't affected the crowds. We've had great numbers and we've had beautiful weather."
This year’s reunion had a lot to celebrate.
“We have a steam engine that's 100-years-old, we have a trolley that's 100-years-old,” said McWilliams. “One of our displays in our museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary in our museum, but that is also a mill that is 100-years-old. Midwest Central Railroad is celebrating their 50th anniversary, as well as we're celebrating our 60th, so there are a lot of great celebrations that have happened this year.”
McWilliams says this year’s event was a little more memorable for some, than it was for others.
“You know we're strong from the Midwest and the Heartland, but we've got people as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. This year, I think the farthest an individual has come was a soldier, and he took leave and came from Egypt. And, he proposed to his now fiancé here at Old Threshers...so you know, we're a world-wide event."
As soon as the tractors and cars are put away, Old Threshers will begin decorating for the Midwest Haunted Rails and Thresher’s House of Terror, during the Halloween season.
The 62nd Old Thresher’s event will take place Sept. 1 – 5, 2011, marking the 61st anniversary.