Antique Agriculture Event

The event is held each year at Jefferson Township Park annually to honor agricultural technology of the past. Some of the machines date back to the early 1900’s. Event coordinators say farm machinery we consider novelties today are the tools our ancestors used to build this nation. Phil Washler, the President of the Maumee Valley Steam & Gas Association, says “In the early days they have to have them to build home, factories, farms and barns. It was a lot of work.” And he isn’t kidding; all the machines on display are manually operated. The wheat thrasher is the most popular exhibit. Volunteers have a chance to help separate weat from straw by throwing hay bundles in the machine. Washler says “The trashing machine is absolutely one of the prime attractions. A good many people don’t quite understand how it works.” That’s probably because it’s from the early 1900’s. The modern day version of the wheat thrasher is the combine. Washler says “Today we simply use a combine. One man with a 30 foot head can harvest so many more acres in such a short time. Today you would starve to death if you had to do things in that manner.” Visitors can also watch log cutting demonstrations, take a ride on steam engines, and eat sweet corn. Washler says “Every year we try and bring in new items that were used by the pioneers who built this nation.” The feature exhibit this year is Minneapolis Moline tractors. Hours: Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m to late afternoon Admission $4.00 For directions visit http://www.maumeevalley.org/summer_show2009.html