KIESTER — A variety of events which pay homage to the area’s agricultural history are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday during the 32nd Annual Farming of Yesteryear’s Threshing Festival in Kiester.

Those interested in taking a step back in time can take tours of an old-time farmhouse, an authentic country church, a blacksmith shop and general store. A children’s barnyard and flea market will also be open at the site.

Threshing, a grist mill, sorghum press, corn shelling, horse plowing and sawmill demonstrations are available throughout the weekend, and there will be antique tractor parades on both days.

Storyteller and naturalist Al Batt will speak at the event on Saturday, which is also when The Good Time Band and Jim Austerman with his new-tyme music will play. A soup supper is slated for Saturday as well. It will begin at 5 p.m. and run until the food is gone.

Dunnell Lenort will perform at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and The Walking Eagle Band is slated to start later in the day at 2:30 p.m. There is a slot in between these two performers for the state-sanctioned kids tractor pull at noon.

Activities will wind down on Sunday after a drawing for an antique 9N Ford tractor.

The threshing festival takes place at 1736 600th St. and is annually sponsored by the nonprofit Gopher-Hawkeye Power Association as a way to preserve the past for future generations.

 

Schedule of Events

Saturday

7:30 a.m.: Gates open

9:30 a.m.: Bingo

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Displays open at house, school and church

10:30 a.m.: Storyteller Al Batt

1 p.m.: Antique tractor parade

2 p.m.: The Good Time Band

3:30 p.m.: Jim Austerman with his new tyme music

5 p.m.: Soup Supper

 

Sunday

6:30 a.m.: Gates open

7 a.m.: Church service

8 to 10 a.m.: Pancake breakfast

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Displays open at house-school-church

10:30 a.m.:  Dunnell Lenort

Noon: Minnesota State-sanctioned Kids Pedal Pull

1:30 p.m.: Antique tractor parade

Following parade: Cribbage

2:30 p.m.: Walking Eagle Band

4 p.m.: Drawing for 9N Ford