Western Ontario Steam Threshers reunion

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Preparations for the 2025 Western Ontario Steam Threshers reunion are picking up steam.

The 68th annual reunion runs Aug. 8, 9 and 10 at the fairgrounds in Forest with steam engines, antique tractors, music, tractor
pulls, vendors, food, demonstrations and other activities for the public.

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR 68TH WESTERN ONTARIO STEAM THRESHERS REUNION BACK TO VIDEO

“Preparations are going well,” said Jon Schenk, president of the Western Ontario Steam Threshers Association, a group created to
preserve and honour agricultural heritage.

Leading up to the reunion, members are set to take part Saturday in a tractor caravan leaving from the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. and
stopping off at the North Lambton Lodge long-term care home on a tour around Forest.

Sunday, a workday is planned to help prepare the fairgrounds for the upcoming event.

The reunion dates back to 1957 and an event held at a Corunna-area farm with several steam engines on display.

More than 500 people attended that first year and the reunions continued and were later held at the Brigden fairgrounds before
moving to Forest several years ago.

steam threashers

Jeff Searson of Sarnia drives a 1923 Waterloo steam engine during the 2023 Western Ontario Steam Threshers reunion at the
fairgrounds in Forest.

“I think people are more aware and more interested in where their food comes from,” Schenk said. “This is a great way to show how
that would have happened, back in the day.”

In the age before combines, steam engines provided power for threshing machines used to separate grain from straw.

Each year, the reunion features a farm equipment brand display and this year’s will be Cockshutt and Oliver, Schenk said. “They’re
kind of one and the same, so we’re doing them together,” he said.

Indications are that five or six steam engines will be on the grounds this year, Schenk said.

“There might be other people who just show up with their steam engines, and that’s great,” he said.

Gates open Friday at noon and at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information, including a full schedule and admission fees, can be
found online at steamthresher.com. [http://steamthresher.com]

Steam threshers
Brian Jackson, left, and Lucas Emilio ride a half-scale model of a Goodison 1918 steam engine at the 2023 Western Ontario Steam
Threshers reunion in Forest.

Friday includes a Southwestern Ontario Tractor Pullers show at 7 p.m., a beer garden opening at 5 p.m. with singer Colt McLauchlin
performing at 9 p.m., a silent auction and bingo in the ladies’ event building, vendors open from noon to 7 p.m. and steamed corn
at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s lineup includes activities in the ladies’ event building, a kids’ pedal pull, traditional serving of bean soup cooked
over an open fire around noon, threshing and shingle mill demonstrations, an Ontario Vintage Tractor Pullers Association event, a
kids’ zone through the day, the beer gardens and steamed corn again.

Sunday features a church service at 10 a.m., demonstrations, kids’ activities, cars and coffee at 10 a.m., the beer garden and
other activities.

At noon, Saturday and Sunday, steam engines and antique tractors will lineup for the traditional parade around the track at the
fairgrounds.

“It’s all ages” Schenk said. “Kids are welcome, families are welcome.”

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