A look into 2022 at Midwest Old Threshers

Midwest Old Threshers is a mainstay of Mt. Pleasant. Founded in 1950 and with an attendance of 10,000 for the first meeting, the gathering has definitely gotten larger each year. In 2021, the attendance was just under 35,000.

“We came in just a few thousand short of 2019, our record year,” said Midwest Old Threshers CEO Terry McWilliams. “We saw a price increase at the gate and rain on one of the mornings starting out. But we have been fairly constant in attendance within the last six to seven reunions that we have done.”

The numbers for attendance can be attributed to the fact that the reunion is a good deal in entertainment. Lots of folks come on a yearly basis, bringing with them their families and friends.

“It’s got a long tradition,” said McWilliams. “And that helps in bringing in folks to the show year after year.”

The reunion is not the only thing that takes place at the Old Threshers location. Throughout the year, the site is open to Mt. Pleasant Chamber Alliance “Alive after Five”, a Farmers Market, two steam schools, graduation parties, weddings and receptions. It is also open for a weekend Greater Iowa Swap Meet and Gun show, the Airstream Regional Camping Group, a Daddy-Daughter Dance at the Log Village, and the Henry County Fair. There are also two antique auto clubs and the Red Flag Horseless Carriage Group that use the grounds for their meetings. Finishing off the year, each Christmas season, Santa and the Festival of Lights is celebrated by thousands on the grounds.

“We start in March with the ‘Alive after Five’ with the Chamber,” said McWilliams. “That is when we announce the entertainment for the Reunion.”

Each year, Old Threshers invite individuals from all over the world to attend two steam schools, where the operation of steam engines is shown.

“We teach a course on how to run and safely operate a traction steam engine,” said McWilliams. “Once they have taken the course, we encourage the operators to come back and help out during the Reunion. We have a lot of folks that are interested in this hobby.”

The Threshers also have a trolley school, where individuals can come and learn how to be motormen and conductors on a trolley system. There is a trolley group which attends the school every year in June.

There is also a local Farmers Market that is set up at the grounds twice a week starting in May. This is an event where local farmers and food vendors set up shop to sell their products. The Henry County Fair, which is held in July, also takes place on the grounds.

“We are hoping to do the theatre plays once again this year,” said McWilliams. “COVID has caused issues with this happening, and we are hoping that we can start doing the plays again at the Opera House.”

“We also do a Midwest Great Printer’s Fair, shortly after the reunion,” said McWilliams. “This takes place at the Printing Museum. It’s a three-day event that highlights all of the antique presses that are in the museum.”

The fall is also a busy season on the grounds, with the Threshers’ House of Terror and the Midwest Haunted Rails.

“The fall events are followed up by the Festival of Lights and Santa’s House,” said McWilliams. “This closes out the year for us here at Threshers. This year, in 2022, we will have a whole new light show for the Festival of Lights, and we are excited about that.”

“We have something going on pretty much every month of the year,” said McWilliams. “January and February are planning months for us. We actually go to a Halloween show in March, to purchase things for our event in October. ”

During those down months the entertainment for the following year is planned.

“I’m already working on the reunion for 2023,” said McWilliams. “It takes a lot of time to set everything up for each year.”

“This year marks our 40th year of using the Romeo Entertainment Group as our booking agent,” said McWilliams. “That is who works with us in getting acts to the reunion. It is a matter of who is playing, and what their cost is, as to who plays for the events. Each year we look at who is a good fit for each of the shows during the Reunion. The year of 2023 will mark the 200th different act that has been booked to perform. These acts are announced in March.”

“The Threshers grounds sees a lot of activities throughout the year, aside from the reunion event itself,” said McWilliams. “We are grateful for the activity and the participation of the public for our events throughout the year.”

Contact Michelle Hillestad at michelle.hillestad@southeastiowaunion.com