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Threshing show celebrates 60 years at Perry County Fairgrounds

PINCKNEYVILLE - The 60th Annual Steam, Gas, and Threshing Show put on by the American Thresherman Association filled the Perry County Fairgrounds to overflowing levels last week and included various activities celebrating the heritage of steam power for farmers in the development of this nation.

This year's show featured Oliver, Hart-Parr, and Caterpillar tractors and all crawler earth movers, as well as Vertical Hit and Miss Gas Engines.

Demonstrations of farmwork with the featured tractors, as well as by teams of horses, added to the experience of the weekend. Nightly tractor pulls, crafters, bluegrass music, the midday Parade of Power, a pedal-powered tractor pull for kids, and an antique auto show rounded out the schedule.

Hundreds of people stayed around the fairgrounds for the weekend as camper-trailers covered every available space, and the thousands of people attending the show also greatly support the 50-plus, citywide yard sales in Pinckneyville, slowing the pace of traffic to an average golf-cart speed to be able to check out everything available.

The 33rd annual Fall Festival that includes many similar activities takes place on Oct. 18-20.

Steam-powered tractors prepare for a demonstration. Daniel Herbst photo
A Case tractor lets off steam during the Parade of Power. Daniel Herbst photo
Painting adds beautiful details to the sculptures. Daniel Herbst photo
Featured crawlers are displayed near the Thresherman Association tent. Daniel Herbst photo
Milling cedar shingles is another craft shown. Daniel Herbst photo
A blacksmith shows the work involved in making knives. Daniel Herbst photo
Stagecoach rides around the fairgrounds also take people back to another time. Daniel Herbst photo
Train rides help riders see the hundreds of tractors around the fairgrounds. Daniel Herbst photo
This young rider gives his major effort to pedal a tractor. Daniel Herbst photo
The pedal-powered tractor pull attracts many riders, including this young lady. Daniel Herbst photo
Farmers attach a team of six horses before the plowing demonstration. Daniel Herbst photo
A team effort goes into the featured plowing. Daniel Herbst photo
A John Deere makes its pull for tractors over 50 years old. Daniel Herbst photo
Horses help pull hay into bales in the demonstration area. Daniel Herbst photo