Volunteers prepare for Dalton’s threshermen’s show

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, September 5, 2008

Volunteers performed a variety of chores Thursday afternoon on the grounds of the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen’s Association show in Dalton. The work was in preparation for this weekend’s show that runs from today (Friday) through Sunday.

New this year is the Memorial Building. The front of the structure, still a work in progress, provides a history of the threshermen’s show. The back room will house model railroads.

On Thursday afternoon volunteers John Halvorson, Frank Melby, Don Stoa and Jim Rude put the final touches on the Lionel train set donated by Carl Johnson of Fergus Falls. Among the other volunteer leaders was Fergus Falls native David Aasness who now lives in Moorhead.

“We started work on the new Memorial Building this past June, when we had 15 volunteers who poured cement,” said Melby. “About 14 of us were on hand when we did the actual framing. All of the lumber was sawed right here on the threshermen’s grounds, and we completed the basic structure in early August.”

Missing from this year’s show will be Jim Rude’s father, Oscar Rude, 99, who died Aug. 5.

“But Oscar’s memory will live on here at the threshermen’s grounds,” Melby said. “Oscar loved the grounds here, and being part of the threshermen’s organization.”

This year’s three-day event is the 55th anniversary show in Dalton.

The 2008 Lake Region Pioneer Threshing Show, planned each year for the weekend after Labor Day, features Oliver and Cockshutt lines of machinery and equipment. Free rides will again be offered on the train pulled by a World War I French locomotive. Visitors will see the largest operational Wheelock stationary steam engine in the United States, weighing 110 tons.

Another favorite stop for visitors is the blacksmith shop where volunteers will pour castings, with many old tools in operation. Model gas and hot air engines are on display.

Visitors can also see the antique woodshop which uses foot and lines shaft power to make items the old-fashioned way. There’s free entertainment on stage, and many homemaker displays.

Many steam traction engines and large gas/oil engines will be operating in addition to 100’s more tractor and machinery displays.

Hard to miss is the old-fashioned Skelly gas station with drive-thru service.

Visitors young and old alike will enjoy watching the “Blue Ox” and “Little Babe” pulling sleds all over the track.

There will be threshing each day, today through Sunday, along with sawmill, shingle mill and plowing demonstrations. Other activities include a large flea market and Sunday morning church services.