MT. PLEASANT – Guests will travel from near and far to continue family traditions and create new memories in Mt. Pleasant at the 2024 Midwest Old Threshers, August 29-September 2.
The traditional meeting of the Midwest Old Threshers offers everything that families have come to appreciate since its founding in the 1950s.
Students from last year’s Log Village Oak Ridge School followed a steam locomotive in their historical costumes.
There will be great food again in the North Village, guests can take part in spelling bees and the iron forge in the Log Village, and there will certainly be an opportunity to learn square dancing in the Dance Barn.
Before it all begins, the community and guests can get into the spirit of the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion with the traditional Harvest Day Parade through Mt. Pleasant on Wednesday, August 28th at 3:30 p.m. This year, beloved longtime former Mt. Pleasant High School music directors Jim and Marlene DePriest will ride in the parade as Grand Marshals.
As soon as the parade starts, the meeting will really get going even before the official start day, because this Wednesday the Don Carlson Memorial Horse Pull will take place in front of the grandstands from 7 p.m.
By purchasing tickets for the remaining nights of the meet, attendees can enjoy four nights of well-known country artists performing in the stands at 8 p.m.
For those who want to secure the best seats, the stands open every night at 6:30 p.m. and the music starts at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 29th: The Oak Ridge Boys kick things off.
Chris Cagle will perform on Friday, August 30th.
LOCASH will take the stage on Saturday, August 31st.
Sunday, September 1st: THE FRONTMEN will round out the grandstand entertainment for this year’s reunion.
During the day, additional entertainment will take place during the Old Threshers in the Family Tent, Dance Barn or Museum A Pavilion.
The 2023 and 2022 Miss Sweet 16 juniors smile broadly while riding in the bed of a bright red pickup truck. Pictured from left: Miss Volunteer 2023 Alexa Fuller, runner-up Kaylee Knerr, first runner-up Megan Lee, Miss Sweet 16 Charissa Wissmann, Miss Sweet 16 2022 Josie Gilmore, first runner-up Natalie McCormick, Miss Volunteer Megan Borders and runner-up Addison Bentler.
Iowa entertainers such as country artist Linc and The Drifters and Elvis impersonator Junior Talley will return to the Old Thresher grounds this year, along with other artists from Nebraska, Wisconsin and Missouri.
Every day at 12 noon, the Cavalcade of Power lets steam engines, cars, trucks, tractors and horses parade through the stands in a living historical timeline.
Easton and Charlotte Whittmore take one last opportunity to sample some of their favourite Old Threshers dishes from last year.
When guests at Reunion are not enjoying the varied entertainment, they will find numerous delicious treats throughout the property, including the world-famous Methodist meatloaf, turkey legs, homemade desserts, pancakes, funnel cakes and much more.
From left: Blacksmiths Brian Bacher and Howard Ludington create a lantern holder in their blacksmith shop in the historic log cabin village during the 2023 Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
While they dine on their treats, guests at the Old Threshers Reunion can enjoy streetcar rides, visit an old-fashioned carousel, meet saloon dancers, watch train robbers, and enjoy many other unforgettable moments.
Bryan Bechtold smiles as he rides past on a streetcar, a typical mode of transportation at the 2023 Old Threshers reunion, even though it was built around 1912. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
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