HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Pioneer Thresher & Hobby Association's 41st Annual Reunion, 2002-09-04, Page 17ah,
Gary & Chris Courtney
would like to welcome
you to the 41st
Annual Pioneer Thresher Reunion
September 6, 7 & 8
See you at this year's reunion
inning's
Buil tig Supplies Ltd.
Hamilton St., Blyth 523-9305
Welcome to the 41st Annual Thresher Reunion
"Visit us at our booth
in the craft display"
326 Josephine St., 70 Court House Square
Wingham
Goderich
357-2811
524-4689
A different way of bariking_Thl
Wishes the Huron Pioneer Thresher and
Hobby Association great success on the 41st
Annual Reunion in Blyth.
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(Opening October 2002)
Clinton Community
Credit Union Limited
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STEAMS UP! BEANS UP!
Welcome to the
41st Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
One Stop Shopping
for
• 5 Daily - 5 local newspapers
• Ice Cream Bars, Cones, etc.
• Candy • Tobacco Products
• Gifts • Souvenirs
• Greeting Cards • Coffee
• Snacks • Dairy Products
• Diecast Model Tractors
8. Steam Engines
• Coleman Generators & Air Compressors
The BIGGEST
Yard Sale
in Blyth
Friday & Saturday
September 6 & 7
Free Baked Beans Friday & Saturday
Ecippuis Wore! 10111 1 WI!
Come to the BLYTH GENERAL STORE
523-9785
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2002. PAGE A- I7.
44.st Hilton Pioneer Thresher Reuftion
First Reunion brought together the old gang
thresher way, cooking good hot meals with
plenty of homebaking too. The selection
included pies, cakes and home preserves.
By the fifth year, with the popularity of the
reunion changing it into a community activity
rather than a private social gathering, the
original members decided to set up
committees to provide more entertainment,
fiddle and stepdance contests and to bring in
more.threshing machines.
As the years passed, the event just
continued to grow in its ability to pull in
spectators and exhibitors.
Aftei managing the show for 23 years, the
threshers decided it was time to incorporate
the show.
This was the biggest change for the
reunion. Instead of all the members par-
ticipating in the planning, 15 directors were
chosen.
As the enthusiasm for the show grows, so
does the investment of time required by the
committee members and all involved. It has
far surpassed its original aim. It has
developed into an event which fascinates
young and old alike, drawing thousands to
the village of Blyth each September.
Flash from the past
Each afternoon of the Reunion the threshing demonstrations show folks the way it used to be done.
With the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
and Hobby Association marking its 41st
edition this year. reminiscing recalls changes
which have taken place through the years.
When the concept was first developed
many years ago, the aim of the reunion was to
reunite a gang. of men who had travelled the
countryside performing the task of threshing
farmers' fields.
That original group consisted of the
Hallahan brothers of East Wawanosh,
Dennis, Willie Joe. Daniel, John, Simon and
Raymond as well as Alec Manning, Jack
White. Hugh Chisholm and many other local
men.
Notices were sent to other threshers in the
community, informing them of the planned
gathering. Machinists who had worked with
the steam threshers and owners of machines
were invited to show off their equipment and
discuss old times.
The first reunion, held at the old Orange
Hall in Blyth, apparently caused somewhat of
a commotion. Upon arriving at the hall the
Orange Master refused the threshers
entrance. Assuming some liquor had been
consumed, the Orange Master would not
allow then into the building.
Since indoor activities had been curtailed,
the men carried on their party in front of the
hall. Several had brought fiddles and other
musical instruments so they began playing in
the street.
As the group carried on, the street began to
fill with spectators and soon overflowed. The
Orange Master, having decided the threshers
weren't such a bad group after all, let them
into the hall.
For the next four years the group of men
got together at an old horse barn. They had
five steam engines on display and entertained
spectators with their homegrown style of
music.
The contribution of the threshers' wives to
their reunion was never overlooked. The
women provided an excellent meal in the old