Steam Threshing Days set for July 31–Aug. 1
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Steam Threshing Days will be held on Friday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 1 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Illinois Route 133, six miles west of Arcola and three miles east of Arthur.
The purpose of this event is to show attendees how crops were grown and harvested during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Amish continue using many of these methods in their farming operations today. This event continues to expand each year and the 2026 event promises to be the best and biggest show yet.
This year’s festivities will feature oats threshing by steam, gasoline, and horsepower. A Keck-Gonnerman Steam Engine will power a Keck-Gonnerman threshing machine and machines powered by horses and tractors will also be featured. Antique corn shelling will also be demonstrated. A grist mill will be operating making organic corn meal, and brooms will be made using broom corn.
Wood and lumber demonstrations will also be an attraction at the event and will include buzz sawing and sawmilling powered by gas and steam power. Antique farm machinery, tractors and early “hit and miss” gasoline engines will be featured as well. Other demonstrations will include blacksmithing, horse shoeing, and broom and rope making. There will be horse and buggy, pony wagon rides. Children’s activities will include a petting zoo, pony rides and games. The ‘Candy Cannon’ will be fired at 12:30 p.m. each day.
Tours of the 1865 Moses Yoder home, the 1879 Herschberger-Miller barn, the 1882 Daniel Schrock house, Yoder workshop, and the Miller German School will also include demonstrations and displays of 19th century and the Amish way of life.
The Parade of Power featuring horse and mechanical powered equipment with commentary is Friday evening at 5 p.m.
Food will be served in the pavilion. Visitors can also enjoy homemade ice cream, kettle corn, crafts, exhibitors, and much more. All proceeds are used for the continued growth of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center Campus. A pancake breakfast will be held on Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. Everyone is welcome and invited to come out for a day of fun and learning for the entire family. Porta potties will be available on site, and golf carts are welcome. Shuttles will be available.
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is located on Illinois Route 133 six miles west of Arcola and three miles east of Arthur. For more information, call John Mast 217-268-5171 or Wilmer Otto at 217-721-9266, or visit the website at www.illinoisamish.org and be sure to like us on Facebook, Illinois Amish Heritage Center.