25th year of Homer Threshing Bee is this weekend

Pancake breakfast to start 8 a.m. Saturday

The annual threshing bee held in Homer each year since the year 2000 is this Saturday and Sunday

This is the 25th year the West Central Region Cockshutt and Co-op Club (WCRCCC) has hosted this event at the lone Homer business still operating in Homer, Lambs' Small Engine and Tractor Repair.

Thie Threshing Bee will be held at 405 Homer 2nd St., south of Webster City.

Jane Stevens, secretary-treasurer of the club said club members have been helping get things set up all week. Don Lamb, owner of the business and the property where everything happens.

"Don Lamb is Vice President of the club and the President is Bob Halliday, both charter members of WCRCCC," she said, "They've been doing this before there was a club."

She said the club began in 2000, but this is the 25th show, because they didn't do one in 2020 due to Covid.

Activities begin at 8 a.m. and continue until the crowd disappears. On Saturday morning, the Lions Club of Lehigh will be serving a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Food will also be available at the food stand starting at noon on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

"We do have oats this year, so we will be threshing oats," Stevens said, "And we have the saw mill, the sorghum press and the corn sheller that will be there on Saturday."

This event, which takes visitors back in time to early farming processes, demonstrates many lost skills during the weekend, such as wood planing, blacksmithing, and ham radio demonstrations.

In addition there will be an Antique Tractor display and gas engine display.

This year they will be featuring the IH Farmall and McCormick-Deering Tractors and Equipment, in addition to all Cockshutt Tractors and equipment.

There will be special music supplied by the High Trestle Rovers starting Saturday afternoon, and one of the members will provide additional music on Sunday.

A tractor ride around Brushy Creek State Park will begin from Homer starting at 9 a.m. Sunday, weather permitting.

"The tractor rides start at 9 a.m., usually 9:30 when it takes off," said Stevens,"We are going to have a 25th year magnet that has been made when people check in," she said, "We aren't doing anything too different than previous years, but it is our 25th."

The event is popular with farmers and farm families of all ages, and those interested in demonstrations of historical equipment. And for those interested in the many historical aspects of farming the Farm Primitive museum will also be open for viewing.

"We usually have 200 to 300 people during the two days," she said.

"We have a few places to sit around. The grounds are not real big, there is a little seating at the sawmill," she explained. " Most who get tired, they go hang out at the food stand for a little while."

The food stand is manned by club members, and all proceeds go back to the club to support next years event.

"There is just a $5 admission for both days, and you will get a button and a wristband which is good for both days." Stevens said. Children 12 and under are free. The gates open at 8 a.m.