An annual agricultural festival in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Old Threshers gathers a wealth of antique machinery and various mechanical marvels from bygone eras. It serves as a testament to the rich agricultural heritage of the Midwest with its demonstrations of threshing, plowing, corn picking, and other farming practices of the past. The festival also features a wide array of activities for all ages, including live music, craft demonstrations, a parade, and a flea market.
Old Threshers takes place over the course of four days, from Wednesday to Saturday. While the exact schedule for 2024 has yet to be released, it will likely be similar to the 2023 schedule. On Wednesday, the festival grounds open at 8:00 AM, with demonstrations beginning at 10:00 AM. The day concludes with a tractor pull at 6:00 PM. Thursday’s schedule is similar, with the addition of a beer garden opening at 5:00 PM.
Old Threshers 2024 Schedule
Here are 10 important points about the Old Threshers 2024 Schedule:
- Dates: August 28-31, 2024
- Location: Mount Pleasant, Iowa
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
- Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12
- Activities: Threshing, plowing, corn picking demonstrations, live music, craft demonstrations, parade, flea market
- Food: A variety of food vendors will be on site
- Parking: Free parking is available on the festival grounds
- Camping: Camping is available on the festival grounds for a fee
- RV Hookups: RV hookups are available on the festival grounds for a fee
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the festival grounds
The Old Threshers Reunion is a great opportunity to learn about the agricultural history of the Midwest and see some amazing antique machinery in action. The festival is also a lot of fun, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Dates: August 28-31, 2024
The Old Threshers Reunion will be held from Wednesday, August 28th to Saturday, August 31st, 2024. The festival grounds will be open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
Wednesday, August 28th is Family Day at the Old Threshers Reunion. Admission is free for children 12 and under, and there will be a variety of family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, a kids’ tractor pull, and a magic show.
Thursday, August 29th is Threshing Day at the Old Threshers Reunion. This is the day when the festival’s namesake threshing machines will be in full operation. Visitors can watch as these machines separate the grain from the straw, just as they did in the days before modern farming equipment.
Friday, August 30th is Plow Day at the Old Threshers Reunion. On this day, visitors can see a variety of antique tractors and plows in action. There will also be a plowing competition, where farmers from all over the Midwest compete to see who can plow the straightest and most even furrow.
Saturday, August 31st is the final day of the Old Threshers Reunion. This is the day when the festival’s parade takes place. The parade features a variety of floats, antique tractors, and other vehicles. It is a great way to see all that the Old Threshers Reunion has to offer.
The Old Threshers Reunion is a great opportunity to learn about the agricultural history of the Midwest and see some amazing antique machinery in action. The festival is also a lot of fun, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Location: Mount Pleasant, Iowa
The Old Threshers Reunion is held in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, a town of about 8,000 people located in the southeastern part of the state. Mount Pleasant is known as the “Threshing Capital of the World” because of its long history of threshing machine manufacturing. The first threshing machine was built in Mount Pleasant in 1854, and the town has been home to several threshing machine manufacturers over the years.
- Convenient location: Mount Pleasant is located at the intersection of two major highways, US 218 and US 34, making it easy to get to from anywhere in the Midwest.
- Ample parking: The Old Threshers Reunion grounds have plenty of free parking available.
- Camping available: There is camping available on the festival grounds for a fee. RV hookups are also available.
- Variety of lodging options: There are a variety of hotels and motels in Mount Pleasant and the surrounding area.
Mount Pleasant is a great place to visit for the Old Threshers Reunion. The town is welcoming and friendly, and there is plenty to see and do in the area. In addition to the Old Threshers Reunion, Mount Pleasant is also home to the Henry County Historical Society Museum, the Midwest Old Threshers Museum, and the National Threshers Association Museum.
Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
The Old Threshers Reunion is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day of the festival. This gives visitors plenty of time to explore the festival grounds and see all that the festival has to offer.
Here is a breakdown of the daily schedule:
- 8:00 AM: The festival grounds open.
- 10:00 AM: Demonstrations begin.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch break.
- 1:00 PM: Demonstrations resume.
- 4:00 PM: Tractor pull (Wednesday only).
- 5:00 PM: Beer garden opens (Thursday and Friday only).
- 6:00 PM: The festival grounds close.
There is a lot to see and do at the Old Threshers Reunion, so it is important to plan your day accordingly. If you are interested in seeing a particular demonstration, be sure to check the schedule in advance so that you can plan your day accordingly.
Here are some tips for making the most of your day at the Old Threshers Reunion:
- Arrive early to avoid the crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Bring cash, as some vendors may not accept credit cards.
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12
Admission to the Old Threshers Reunion is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free.
There are a few ways to purchase tickets:
- Online: Tickets can be purchased online in advance through the Old Threshers Reunion website.
- At the gate: Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the festival.
If you purchase tickets online, you will receive a discount of $2 per ticket. Online ticket sales will end on August 27, 2024.
Admission to the Old Threshers Reunion includes access to all of the festival’s activities, including demonstrations, live music, craft demonstrations, and the parade.
Here are some tips for saving money on admission to the Old Threshers Reunion:
- Purchase tickets online in advance to receive a discount.
- Bring children under 6 for free.
- Attend the festival on Wednesday, which is Family Day. Admission is free for children 12 and under on this day.
- Look for coupons and discounts in local newspapers and magazines.
Activities: Threshing, plowing, corn picking demonstrations, live music, craft demonstrations, parade, flea market
The Old Threshers Reunion offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including threshing, plowing, corn picking demonstrations, live music, craft demonstrations, a parade, and a flea market.
Threshing demonstrations
Threshing is the process of separating the grain from the straw. At the Old Threshers Reunion, visitors can watch threshing machines in action, just as they were used in the days before modern farming equipment.
Plowing demonstrations
Plowing is the process of turning over the soil to prepare it for planting. At the Old Threshers Reunion, visitors can watch antique tractors and plows in action. There is also a plowing competition, where farmers from all over the Midwest compete to see who can plow the straightest and most even furrow.
Corn picking demonstrations
Corn picking is the process of harvesting corn from the field. At the Old Threshers Reunion, visitors can watch antique corn pickers in action. There is also a corn picking competition, where farmers from all over the Midwest compete to see who can pick the most corn in the shortest amount of time.
Live music
The Old Threshers Reunion features a variety of live music throughout the festival. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from country to rock to bluegrass.
Craft demonstrations
The Old Threshers Reunion features a variety of craft demonstrations, including blacksmithing, woodworking, and quilting. Visitors can watch skilled artisans create beautiful works of art.
Parade
The Old Threshers Reunion parade is a highlight of the festival. The parade features a variety of floats, antique tractors, and other vehicles. It is a great way to see all that the Old Threshers Reunion has to offer.
Flea market
The Old Threshers Reunion flea market is a great place to find unique and interesting items. Visitors can find everything from antiques to collectibles to handmade crafts.
The Old Threshers Reunion is a great opportunity to learn about the agricultural history of the Midwest and see some amazing antique machinery in action. The festival is also a lot of fun, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Food: A variety of food vendors will be on site
The Old Threshers Reunion will feature a variety of food vendors offering a wide range of food options, including:
- American classics: Hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and other American favorites will be available from several vendors.
- BBQ: Pulled pork, ribs, and other BBQ dishes will be available from several vendors.
- Mexican food: Tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes will be available from several vendors.
- Ice cream and other sweets: Ice cream, funnel cakes, and other sweet treats will be available from several vendors.
There will also be a beer garden on site, where visitors can purchase beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
Visitors are also welcome to bring their own food and drinks into the festival grounds. However, there are a few restrictions:
- No glass containers are allowed.
- No alcohol is allowed to be brought into the beer garden.
The Old Threshers Reunion is a great place to enjoy a variety of food and drinks while learning about the agricultural history of the Midwest.
Parking: Free parking is available on the festival grounds
The Old Threshers Reunion offers free parking on the festival grounds. There are several parking lots available, and visitors are encouraged to park in the lot that is closest to the entrance they plan to use.
- Lot 1: This lot is located near the main entrance to the festival grounds. It is the largest lot and is typically the first to fill up.
- Lot 2: This lot is located near the south entrance to the festival grounds. It is a smaller lot than Lot 1, but it is typically less crowded.
- Lot 3: This lot is located near the east entrance to the festival grounds. It is the smallest lot, but it is typically the least crowded.
Visitors with disabilities can park in designated handicap parking spaces. These spaces are located near the main entrance to the festival grounds.
The Old Threshers Reunion is a popular event, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure a parking space. Once you have parked your vehicle, you can take a free shuttle to the festival grounds.
Camping: Camping is available on the festival grounds for a fee
The Old Threshers Reunion offers camping on the festival grounds for a fee. There are two types of campsites available:
- Primitive campsites: Primitive campsites are located in a field near the festival grounds. These campsites do not have any hookups for water or electricity. The cost for a primitive campsite is $20 per night.
- RV campsites: RV campsites are located in a separate area of the festival grounds. These campsites have hookups for water and electricity. The cost for an RV campsite is $30 per night.
All campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure a campsite.
The Old Threshers Reunion also offers a limited number of cabins for rent. The cabins are located near the festival grounds and are equipped with a bed, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. The cost for a cabin is $100 per night.
Visitors who are camping or staying in a cabin have access to the festival grounds 24 hours a day. There are also a number of amenities available to campers and cabin guests, including:
- Restrooms and showers
- A laundry facility
- A camp store
- A playground
Camping at the Old Threshers Reunion is a great way to experience the festival and all that it has to offer.