I grew up in Rollag, MN, actually a mile outside of it, and if you blinked more than once driving through (on the one road) you would miss the town entirely. Once a year it balloons to a population in the tens of thousands, thanks to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, held annually over Labor Day Weekend. It was the highlight of the first eighteen years of my life growing up there and as the weekend fast approaches, I think I can nearly hear the faint calls of steam whistles and the distinct smell of oil caught in steam droplets, both wafting through the air like the history that runs so deep in the agricultural Midwest. Magical times at Rollag that I hope to share with my four kids one day. We just might need to take a day trip to "The Hill".
Threshers reunite at Rollag DL-Online Detroit Lakes, MinnesotaBy Vicki Gerdes -
The first official Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion opened its doors to the public in 1954.
But it’s actually been 70 years since the tradition started. According to the archives of the WMSTR, it all began in 1940, “with a little idea sparked from the soul of some local threshermen over supper. The Nelson boys fired up the old Garr-Scott engine to thresh with steam again for old times’ sake with family and friends.”
The reunion has become a Labor Day weekend tradition in the tiny town of Rollag. And as the name implies, the event is an opportunity for old friends and family to reunite and reminisce.
“You develop long lasting relationships,” said Kathy Hamre, who has been coming to the WMSTR with her husband for about 20 years. “It really is like a reunion. You get together and you work together and you put on a great show.”
“We’ve got friends up here that we don’t get to see all the time — it’s as great time to visit,” said Twin Cities resident Tim Dachtera, who has been coming to the reunion for about 15 years. “My grandparents got me involved in the show, and I’ve been coming every year since then.”
Dachtera, who spends most of his days working with computers and technology, said the WMSTR is “a nice change of pace.”
Though he is not on the WMSTR board, Dachtera does run the organization’s website (www.rollag.com). He also takes photographs of each year’s event and shoots video footage for the annual commemorative DVD, “Memories On the Hill.”
There are plenty of sights and sounds to record, Dachtera noted.
“You can’t see the entire show grounds in a single day,” he said.
In fact, said WMSTR President Ellis Aakre, you might not even be able to see everything if you stay for the entire weekend. (This year’s show runs Sept. 3-6.)
“We have about 200 acres of show grounds,” Aakre said. “You can come out for a single day, but most people say they can’t see it all if they come for all four days.”
Hamre, who des publicity and marketing for the WMSTR, said there are steam and gas-powered engines of all types, from antique cars and tractors to steam shovels and even a full-size steam train, which will take visitors on a trip around the grounds.
“We have a little farmstead where everything is done by horses,” Hamre added. “They do demonstrations throughout the show.”
There’s even a steam-powered foundry, Dachtera added, where they do a variety of metal work.
“And there’s lots of stuff for kids,” said Hamre, from a miniature steam-powered barrel train to a merry go round (also steam powered).
There’s even a closed-circuit tractor course where kids can try driving a tractor — with adult supervision. In the wooded area, there is a blacksmith’s shop, a log cabin museum and “miniature land,” Aakre added.
Pioneer ladies’ activities include live demonstrations of soap making, sewing and weaving, to name just a few.
“And of course, there’s lots of good food,” said Dachtera.
Area churches serve up threshermen’s style meals throughout the day, and there are a variety of food booths set up on the grounds as well.
Live music is always going on throughout the day — and well into the evening.
“If people want to hang out after the show is over they can find music in various areas,” Hamre said.
Nelson Hall has music going on throughout the day, and the Thresherman’s Memorial Building also has music at various times. But you can also find musicians interspersed throughout the grounds.
“There will be a lot of musicians out there — very talented people,” Hamre added.
This year’s featured event is the Allis Chalmers Expo, which will include Allis Chalmers tractors, construction equipment and more.
Parades are held twice a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and there is a vintage style show each day at 3 p.m. There’s also square dancing, prony brake demonstrations, church services on Saturday and Sunday, and even a Steam Queen coronation.
And the grounds themselves are “really looking great,” said Aakre. “Our volunteers have been working all summer getting the show grounds ready. We’re ready to entertain.”
A day pass to the show grounds is $12; a season pass (all four days) is $20; and a camping season pass (the campgrounds open Thursday) is $35. Children age 12 and under are admitted free of charge — but there are no dogs allowed on the grounds except for medical reasons.
“All the rides are free,” said Aakre. “Once you get inside the show grounds the only thing you have to pay for is the food — and any souvenirs you want to buy.”
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