Ever Been To Rollag On Labor Day?
If you want to learn more about the University of Rollag Steam School, a good place to start is by attending the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR). Held each Labor Day weekend at the 290-acre WMSTR grounds, it is a four-day extravaganza of past agricultural technology. It features horses, steam and early gas-powered engines, as well as the equipment they powered.
Again, this September, the 2,000-member strong WMSTR will welcome some 54,000 visitors to the annual show. Season tickets of $25 cover the entire show, while day passes are $14. Those 14 and under are free if with a paid adult.
Tom Hall, WMSTR secretary, warns that a single day won’t begin to be enough to enjoy the show.
“You can expect to see more than 400 gas tractors, 60 full-size steam traction engines, 15 large stationary engines and numerous large gas-powered stationary engines,” says Hall. “That doesn’t begin to cover small-scale steam engines or hit and miss gas engines powering pumps, fans and more.”
Every engine is fully restored and is operable, with many powering a wide variety of demonstrations from field work and harvest to crafts and trades. Multiple sawmills showcase how lumber used to be made.
One of the unique aspects of the WMSR is that aside from food (provided for sale by local church groups) and WMSR souvenirs (many made on-site during the show), there are no vendors or flea markets allowed.
Things to do go beyond equipment alone. The grounds also host a horse-powered farmstead with barns and a period farmhouse. Horses are used to harvest potatoes and grain, as well as thresh it. On the other side of the grounds, a gas-powered, 1930’s era farmstead is complete with a gas-powered light plant.
Main Street includes the general store, mercantile, Downer church, post office and ladies’ activity building.
The Pioneer Village includes a log home, blacksmiths and a water-powered woodshop. At no extra charge, visitors can board the WMSR steam-powered train for a two-mile loop around the grounds.
For a shorter trip, visitors can take a ride on a steam-powered carousel. Some horses on the carousel were carved and others repaired by the Red River Wood Carvers in their building on site.
“The show has something for everyone,” says Hall. “It’s our main fundraiser for the year and takes every one of our 2,000 members to put it on.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, WMSTR Secretary, P.O. Box 9337, Fargo, N.D. 58106 (ph 701-212-2034; secretary@rollag.com; www.rollag.com).
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Ever Been To Rollag On Labor Day? ENGINES If you want to learn more about the University of Rollag Steam School a good place to start is by attending the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion WMSTR Held each Labor Day weekend at the 290-acre WMSTR grounds it is a four-day extravaganza of past agricultural technology It features horses steam and early gas-powered engines as well as the equipment they powered Again this September the 2 000-member strong WMSTR will welcome some 54 000 visitors to the annual show Season tickets of $25 cover the entire show while day passes are $14 Those 14 and under are free if with a paid adult Tom Hall WMSTR secretary warns that a single day won’t begin to be enough to enjoy the show “You can expect to see more than 400 gas tractors 60 full-size steam traction engines 15 large stationary engines and numerous large gas-powered stationary engines ” says Hall “That doesn’t begin to cover small-scale steam engines or hit and miss gas engines powering pumps fans and more ” Every engine is fully restored and is operable with many powering a wide variety of demonstrations from field work and harvest to crafts and trades Multiple sawmills showcase how lumber used to be made One of the unique aspects of the WMSR is that aside from food provided for sale by local church groups and WMSR souvenirs many made on-site during the show there are no vendors or flea markets allowed Things to do go beyond equipment alone The grounds also host a horse-powered farmstead with barns and a period farmhouse Horses are used to harvest potatoes and grain as well as thresh it On the other side of the grounds a gas-powered 1930’s era farmstead is complete with a gas-powered light plant Main Street includes the general store mercantile Downer church post office and ladies’ activity building The Pioneer Village includes a log home blacksmiths and a water-powered woodshop At no extra charge visitors can board the WMSR steam-powered train for a two-mile loop around the grounds For a shorter trip visitors can take a ride on a steam-powered carousel Some horses on the carousel were carved and others repaired by the Red River Wood Carvers in their building on site “The show has something for everyone ” says Hall “It’s our main fundraiser for the year and takes every one of our 2 000 members to put it on ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup WMSTR Secretary P O Box 9337 Fargo N D 58106 ph 701-212-2034; secretary@rollag com; www rollag com
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