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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1995. PAGE A-S.
Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion 1995
Thresher Reunion a hands on event for visitors
Pulling his weight
Each year, competitors challenge thernSelves and others in the beltsetting contest, an art lost to many in the
younger generation.
One thing that makes the Thresher
Reunion so special is the way it allows its
visitors to get their hands dirty. All people,
young and old, can try their hand at a trade.
These competitions test a variety of skill
levels, but the belt setting contest is reputed
to be one of the most difficult. It is done on
both gas tractor and steam engine. There are
two contestants, one to operate the tractor or
engine, and one to operate the separator.
The first step is to unhook the steam
engine from the tractor, then the person
running the tractor turns it around and lines
up the pulleys to the separator. The second
man then strings out the drive belt, blocks
the separator, then puts the feeder and wind
blower out. The final step is to put up the
grain elevator. The clock stops when the
feeder starts, and the time is announced.
The biggest difficulty, according to Ray
Hallahan, whose family has been heavily
involved in the event in the past, is lining up
the separator so the belt will stay on. If the
belt is not secure it can fly off, which brings
an element of danger to the event. Because
of this, most novices decline offers to try
after seeing it done.
Over 50 years ago, when the technique
was in use, it was very competitive.
Threshing teams used to race to see who
could prepare the apparatus most quickly.
This spirit is still present today. There are
usually about 20 competitors in the event,
which makes it one of the largest of the
weekend.
Reunion now a third generation show
Continued from A6
concerns about the survival of shows such as
Blyth's Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show
is government regulations which are not
applicable to the machinery displayed at
heritage shows.
"The government in Toronto sets
regulatory tests for equipment which
receives daily use. These steam engines go
to an average of three or four shows each
summer."
"The government should appreciate the
heritage of the steam engines instead of
going strictly by rules and regulations.
These machines are functionally safe."
Though the 1911 Case was one of several
steam engines which had to withdraw from
the Blyth show in 1994 due to a change in
government regulations, it will be appearing
in 1995.
With his position on the executive, Mike is
not directly in charge of any department, but
tries to help committee members ensure a
smoothly run event. "I try to help people
stay on track."
The association is now on computer so
organizers will be able to take a better look
at the numbers, says Mike.
"I have been travelling to different shows
to see what is successful and what interests
the people. Lots of people come for the
music, but we will also be putting on an
aggressive campaign to bring in new
exhibits for the 35th annual show. We are
also looking at ways to gaining more
television coverage."
This is the first year Todd has become
directly involved in organizing a portion of
the show. He will be working with the small
engine displays and the trophies.
"In the past, I took my holidays to
(unofficially) help out, to get the equipment
ready, but this year I'm more involved."
One of the interesting features of the
Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby
Show is the fact that it is continuing to draw
the younger generations.
"It has truly become a third generation
show," says Mike. The sons of the original
operators such as J.W., helped build the
reunion to the show it now is and the
grandsons are taking over as the years pass.
"It is like a child-parent relationship.
There are a lot of new ideas ( for the show),
but one must respect the traditions of the
parent. It is their house," says Mike.
Talking to the 'old boys' is one of Mike's
favourite parts of the reunion. "Losing
seniors is like losing a library."
"There is not a lot of the original group of
threshers left anymore," adds Bill.
This may just be the feeling, the sense of
tradition, of family heritage, which draws
the third generations to the reunion, to help
things carry on.
If the sentiment displayed by the younger
Andrews is any indication, The Huron
Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show
will continue to thrive and grow-through the
next century.
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