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STORIES
Some features of our show and personal stories
illustrating the history of farming and family
life back when the Midwest was being settled.
Preserving the machinery and crafts that
supported everyday life is our goal. Browse
these ages to learn more. |
| Steam Car |
The story of Kevin and Donna Anderson's rare
1910 Stanley Steam car. Kevin provides free
rides to showgoers as time permits. Two videos
show the steam car in operation, fun to watch. |
| Big Boy Toys |
All the big boy toys on the Showgrounds make
the Show an exciting and fun experience.
From huge steam engines to rare vintage farming
equipment to tractors and vintage autos,
there is plenty to see and talk about. |
| Steam is King |
While all kinds of vehicles, tractors, trucks,
vintage autos and farm equipment are plentiful
in the Show, the real stars are the huge
old powerful steam engines that abound in
Threshermen's Park. Our big "Steam is
King" sign beside Route 12 tells it
like it is. Many photos |
| Sea of Red |
The "Sea of Red" International
Harvester tractor collection of Mick and
Carol Osterman is illustrated. Mick describes
some of the rare pieces in their extensive
collection. |
| Ford Tractors |
The story of Gary and Linda Anderson's collection
of Ford tractors. They bring many tractors
to our show, and invite visiitors to view
their collection in their own tractor barn
at home. |
| Going Green |
"Going Green" with John Deere tractors
is the story of Richard Anderson's collection.
He loves to participate in the gas tractor
plowing, and shows several of his green tractors
in the Parade and on the Showgrounds. |
| Garrett's Story |
Garrett, one of our youngest members, at
the age of 12 tells the story of his first
visit to the James Valley Threshing Show,
and his introduction to the small town of
Andover. |
| Jordan's Story |
Jordan, who wrote his story at the age of
12, is very involved in steam, and has participated
in the steam plowing demonstrations at the
James Valley Threshing Show. He also displays
his Lionel trains in the toy show. |
| Huppmobile |
Bruce Wherry tells the story of his 1909
Huppmobile, which he rescued and restored
and drives in our parade and on the Showground.
More vintage automobiles in our vintage car
show are also illustrated. |
| Heritage Crafts |
Donna Anderson is very active in the Quilt
Show and Heritage Crafts activities. Quilting,
sewing, weaving, embroidery, and hand work
of all types were the way the material needs
of everyday family life were met. |
| Toy Irons |
Kate Kelly displayed her collection of toy
irons and toy laundry equipment in the Heritage
Crafts building. The toys reflect how women's
work was done back in the days before modern
appliances made domestic life easier. |
| Purses |
Sue Clunick's amazing collection of vintage
beaded and mesh purses is accompanied by
Sue's display of vintage women's apparel
and other antiques used in the everyday lives
of women long ago. |
| Music |
The story of our musicians and music, which
entertain our showgoers with old fashioned
songs and instruments. They bring back memories
of family fun back when entertainment was
"home made". |
Andover,
Host Town |
A bit of the history of the tiny town on
the South Dakota prairie that hosts the James
Valley Threshing Show's largest demonstration
of steam and gas plowing in the country.
Plus photos and the Waldorf Hotel. |
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THE SHOW
The James Valley Threshing Show
includes
many events, happenings and buildings
that
preserve and demonstrate traditional
farming
and family life in the Midwest.
Browse through
our pages to learn more |
| Case Expo |
In 2016 James Valley Threshers will host
the J.I. Case Foundation 30th
Case Expo.
Antique Case engines, tractors,
and other
Case farming equipment will be
featured. |
| 150 HP Case |
Our member Kory Anderson has undertaken the
project of re-creating a legendary
early
1900's 150 horse power Case road
locomotive,
none of which are still in existence
today.
A major and important project. |
80 HP Case
Project |
The 80 HP Case steam engine originally owned
by the Art Fryslie family is now with the
Kevin Anderson family in Andover. Scott Anderson
and his son Drake will be restoring it, and
it can be seen at the Threshing Show this
year. |
2015 Show
Drone Video |
Jason Mentele captured on video from his
drone hovering over the Park
the early morning
preparation for the Tractor Show,
the Threshing
and Steam Plowing demonstrations.
Unique
view, fun to see. |
2015 Parade
Video |
Paul Kosel's YouTube video of the Saturday
Parade lets you experience the fun and excitement
of one of our most famous events, and a view
of vintage vehicles in motion. |
| Tractor Show |
Our Showground is filled with tractors of
every make and description, plus
other antique
and interesting farming equipment
and vintage
vehicles. Many photos to view
and study |
| Steam Plowing |
Steamers of every size pulling multi-bottom
plows in the largest plowing
demonstration
in the country, a thrilling sight
captured
in many closeup and long range
photos and
a video. |
| Gas Plowing |
Gas tractors of every age and description
pulling plows demonstrate how
farming was
done, and is still done on family
farms in
the Midwest. |
| Threshing |
Gordon Bergh explains the history of threshing,
one of the most ancient of all
human endeavors.
His story is illustrated with
many photos
and a video. |
| Tractor Pull |
The Brown County Old Time Tractor Association
puts on a Tractor Pull competition
at the
James Valley Threshing Show. |
| Spark Show |
At nightfall one of the big steam engines
is fired up to send a spectacular show of
sparks into the night sky, re-creating the
home made fireworks shows originating on
family farms of old. |
| Past Parades |
Nine pages of photos of some of our past
years' parades. Photos can be
supersized
and downloaded if desired. See
all the details
of vintage, unusual and treasured
farm vehicles
and equipment. |
| Quilt Show |
Our Quilt Show has a different theme every
year, and all types of quilts
are shown in
the Heritage Crafts Building,
with a quilting
program on Saturday morning.
Many photos |
Fiber Arts
Show |
The Prairie Fiber Arts Guild gives on-going
demonstrations of weaving, knitting,
spinning
wool, sewing and other traditional
fiber
arts in the Quilters and Weavers
Building. |
Ladies of
Steam |
The Ladies of Steam presented "Women
Teaching Women Steam" at
our Show, giving
women the opportunity to learn
hands-on the
fun and techniques of operating
steam engines. |
Kids Tractor
Pull |
With special kid-size equipment and toy tractors,
kids compete in their own tractor
pull, just
like the big one. Trophies are
awarded, and
every kid wins a prize. Many
photos |
| Free Tractor |
The Carl Johnson Memorial Free Tractor Giveaway,
to stimulate interest in collecting
and showing
vintage tractors. Ages 10 to
20 can enter
for free. The winner is drawn
on Sunday. |
4H Club
Ham Dinner |
The Lazy Farmers 4H Club has served their
famous Saturday Noon Ham Dinner
for many
years. It's their major fund
raising event,
and they have also given back
to the Show. |
Threshermen's
Breakfast |
Showgoers can join our working Threshers
for the traditional hearty breakfast
of eggs,
sausages, ham, hash browns, baked
goods &
coffee. In the Feed Bin at the
Park. Low
price makes it a real bargain
too. |
Watermelon
Feast |
On Saturday after the parade the Wells Fargo
Bank of Groton provides a free
Watermelon
Feast to show goers on the Main
Street of
Threshermen's Park. |
| Flea Market |
Showgoers wander through our Flea Market
searching for treasures in the variety of
interesting goods offered. We welcome our
past vendors, and are always looking for
new sellers too. |
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THE TOUR
Our fields and buildings house the events
and activities that make our
Show unique
and enjoyable. Browse through
the pages to
learn more
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| Tour of Park |
A virtual Grand Tour of Threshermen's Park
and the activities happening during the three
days of the Threshing Show. Also a look at
most of our buildings, their special features
and what goes on there. Many photos |
| Sawmill |
The Harold Brown Family Sawmill and the Fie,
Briden and Anderson Miniature
Sawmill demonstrate
how sawing was done back in the
days when
steam engines provided the power
to run the
equipment. |
| Blacksmith |
The James Valley Tractors Club built and
furnished a blacksmith shop like
the one
John Deere would have used back
in the day.
Demonstrations are given on heating
up iron
and making useful objects. |
| Machines |
The Roger and Linda Johnson Memorial Building
houses vintage and unusual machines and engines
used in farming. Ongoing demonstrations are
given, and the machines are on display during
the Show. |
| Gas Station |
The history of the old Stratford Sinclair
Station that was moved on to the Threshermen's
Park grounds, complete with two antique visible
gas pumps. Our musicians may gather there
for impromptu jam sessions. |
| Cook Car |
Verl Cutler donated his 1924 Cook Car to
the James Valley Threshers, where it demonstrates
how it was used as a kitchen and dining room
to provide meals to threshing crews on family
farms back in the day. |
| Church |
The history of the Threshers Community Church,
which was moved from its original home in
Aberdeen and restored to represent the small
churches that served farm families in the
rural midwest. |
| Toy Chest |
Burdell Bohn donated the old one-room school
house that both he and his father attended.
It is the home of our Toy and Doll Show featuring
farming toys, Lionel trains, a model ferris
wheel, many dolls and other toys. |
| School House |
Our old one-room school house is completely
outfitted with vintage school furnishings
to show what schooling was like for farm
children and teachers in the days before
electricity and running water. It was donated
by Ray Pulfrey. |
| Playground |
The schoolhouse playground is equipped with
sturdy swings with horses to ride, slides,
teeter totters, and a sandbox fashioned from
a big old tractor tire. It provides safe
old fashioned fun for youngsters. |
| Tin Dipper |
The story of the tin dipper on the water
cooler in the schoolhouse, illustrated
with
a poem by Margaret Neel. It was
a necessity
back in the days before running
water. |
Feed Bin &
Concessions |
The Feed Bin is where you can get the Threshermen's
Breakfast daily, the 4H Club Ham Dinner on
Saturday, and good home cooked hearty meals
every day. Our food vendors offer a variety
of good food too. |
| Souvenir Shop |
Our General Store - the Souvenir shop, s
where you can get a variety of fun and useful
souvenirs including our fabulous Spark Show
T-shirts and sweat shirts, our 40th Anniversary
Book and more. |
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INFORMATION
Useful things to know about the James Valley
Threshers, our show, our book
and our sponsors.
Browse through these pages to
learn more
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| Schedule |
Schedule of the activities for the three
day Show |
| Poster |
Poster advertising the current year's Show |
| Our Book |
Information about the James Valley Threshers
40th Anniversary Book contents and how to
order |
| Maps |
Maps and directions to our Show in Threshermens
Park in Andover South Dakota |
Motels
& Camping |
Accommodations for travellers, nearby motels,
hotels and camping facilities |
| About Us |
Information about the James Valley Threshers
and the James Valley Tractor
Club |
| Contact Us |
How to contact us for assistance or any information,
or about participating in the show |
| Sponsors |
These generous sponsors made our Book possible.
Patronize them whenever possible. |
