Fall Features Threshing Shows And Festivals Across North Dakota

You’ve likely seen combines rolling through the grain fields of North Dakota during your travels across the state. For a look at how farmers handled harvest time in the old days, check out one of many threshing shows scheduled across the state. There are also a number of festivals, which gives you an opportunity to venture out for a fall trip.

Check out these events happening in September and early October:

Alexander’s Old Settlers Days
Alexander (Sept. 2-4)
This celebration began more than 50 years ago as a community picnic at the end of the harvest season. It has now grown into one of McKenzie County’s largest events. Old Settlers Days starts with a bonfire the evening of Sept. 2, features a chili cook-off and old-time music on Sept. 3, and a parade, a program in the park, an art and craft show, and a street dance on Sept. 4. For more information call 701-828-3175.

Hazen Harvest Festival
Hazen (Sept. 9-12)
The Harvest Festival features a turkey barbecue, a dance, car show, quilt show, tractor pull, parade, carnival, variety show, food booths and craft fair. The fur traders’ encampment will include muzzleloader shooting. There also will be programs on Lewis and Clark-related experiences on Sept. 11, including talks and demonstrations on archery, wildlife and outdoor skills. For more information call 701-748-6848; also online at www.hazennd.org

Yesterday’s Farmers Threshing Bee
Bowman (Sept. 11-12)
This annual threshing bee features a lot of old equipment and a parade on Main Street on Sept. 11. It’s held at the Yesterday’s Farmers Grounds, located on the west edge of Bowman. For more information call 701-523-3749; also online at http://www.bowmannd.com

Sodbuster Days
Fort Ransom State Park (Sept. 11-12)
Take a trip back to the early 1900s during Sodbuster Days. The event features teams of draft horses and mules preparing fields, haying and threshing. The small engine display shows how things were done before electricity, such as elevating grain, sawing wood, grinding corn and pumping water.

There also are demonstrations by blacksmiths and woodworkers. Displays will show the many aspects of pioneer life. And for the first time, there will be an old-time fiddle contest on Sept. 11. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 12. For more information call 701-973-4331; also online at http://www.ndparks.com/parks/Ransom/sodbusters.htm

Central North Dakota Steam Threshers
New Rockford (Sept. 17-19)
This annual reunion is taking place for the 46th straight year in New Rockford. It’s held at the fairgrounds southwest of town. The show features a one-of-a-kind collection of antique operational steam engines, as well as many antique tractors and implements. There’s a daily parade of engines, sawmill demonstrations, plowing demonstrations, a craft sale and flea market, live entertainment during the afternoon on Sept. 18-19 and dances during the evening on Sept. 17-18. For more information call 701-947-2201.

Sunflower Festival
Enderlin (Sept. 17-19)
The event features a parade, cooking contests, entertainment, a craft show, flea market and food booths. For more information call 701-437-2877.

Fullerton Steam Threshing Show
Fullerton (Sept. 18-19)
The two-day festival has many demonstrations ongoing, including steam threshing, horse-drawn machinery, saw mill, kite flying, miniature trains, chain saw sculptor and blacksmith. There’s also an apple pie contest, food stands and a flea market. For more information call 701-375-7521.

Napoleon Corn Show
Napoleon (Sept. 24-26)
This annual event features a road race, craft fair, citywide rummage sale, polka party, kids parade, games, a golf tournament and 4-H achievement days. For more information call 701-754-2851.

AppleFest
Ellendale (Sept. 25-26)
The fifth annual edition offers a full day of activities on Sept. 25 and a lecture/concert on Sept. 26. AppleFest was created to provide a wide array of activities for people of all ages. On Sept. 25 those activities include a kiddie parade, regular parade, art and craft show, an auto and bike show on Main, hay rides, a pie eating contest, a pet show, a rib cook-off and dinner, and evening entertainment. On Sept. 26 Tim Peterson will have a lecture and concert at 3 p.m. at Trinity Bible College. For more information call 701-349-4103; or also online at www.ellendaleonline.com

Sheyenne Valley Arts & Crafts Festival
Fort Ransom (Sept. 25-26)
Entering its 37th year, this show features arts and crafts exhibits around the town of Fort Ransom. The festival starts at 10 a.m. both days. There’s a bake sale on Sept. 25 and the E Company of Custer’s 7th Memorial Cavalry will be on hand at Fort Ransom State Park both days, which requires a park entrance fee. The Granary Girls will perform on Sept. 25. For more information call 701-973-4461.

Makoti Threshing Show
Makoti (Oct. 1-3)
The show has a 1 p.m. parade each day on the threshing grounds. There are more than 300 units operating. There’s also a saw mill and a giant indoor flea market. For more information call 701-726-5664; or also online at http://www.makoti.net

Plan to get out and experience one of these entertaining events. It’s an opportunity to have an adventure without venturing far from home.

For more information, go to www.ndtourism.com

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August 23, 2004   Posted in: United States North