September 2, 2022
Cars were streaming into the threshing show even at 8:30 in the morning. As we drove into town we passed 2 flea markets, that were setting up and several signs for garage sales. We also drove by an old Victorian house on the corner of the main street that had ‘50’s cars parked on the lawn facing the house. It’s obvious this is a big event that the whole town participates in.
We parked in a $5 lot across from the show and went to the gate to pay for our 2 day pass. As we entered I realized I have been calling this show by the wrong name, it’s called the “Old Threshers Reunion”.
This place is big, and I mean big! The first thing we did was go to the information booth and get a map. We wandered into a couple of buildings before spotting the one with the antique cars. The requirement for these cars to be in the building is that the car had to be at least 50 years old. The building had 2 floors and it was filled with a variety of antique cars. The oldest car I saw was from 1896. It looked more like a wagon than a car. I don’t quite remember, but it might have been Henry’s first try at a horseless carriage.
Several antique cars were also parked outside of the building. As always, Steve began talking to one of the car owners telling him about driving our car to this event. This person asked where our car was parked and then told us who to talk to for getting it registered in the show. We were surprised we could do that, but happy that we could. The rest of the day and tomorrow our car will be on display (outside) and in the parades.
When the car issue was settled I meandered into all the buildings. This part reminded me of our State Fair. There were lots of venders selling everything from antiques to crafts, even bakery goods made by the Amish, besides much more. I did buy a “new and improved” Hummingbird feeder, I hope the Hummingbirds like it!
One of my favorite buildings was the Heritage Museum. The displays of living in the early 1900’s were amazingly well done. It was interesting seeing the early washing machines, stoves, vacuum cleaner, and other household things that we now take for granted. I can’t imagine how hard life was and how easy we have it now.
Another favorite thing today was riding on the 1906 steam engine train. The train took us for a short ride around the grounds and brought us back to the Old West town where there was a “gun fight”, of course.
When we got tired and needed to rest just about everywhere on the grounds was a place to sit and listen to some type of entertainment. This was especially nice for Steve as he waited for me to finish looking at everything!
The highlight of my day was visiting the Glenna Voyles Doll House Museum. It is actually called a doll house because it’s filled with dolls to look at. Glenna and her helper Irene run this museum and have on occasion doll events, such as tea parties for little girls. This museum is open all year long and not just for the Old Threshers Reunion. I didn’t know these women before today, but I had seen them on zoom doll meetings during COVID, so it was like a bonus to meet them in person and make two new doll friends.
Although, we did see a lot today, there is still more to see. Tomorrow we will be back and spend more time before leaving for home.
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