Plans for Midwest Old Threshers Reunion moving forward as scheduled

MT. PLEASANT - Preparations for the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion are moving forward as planned.

Terry McWilliams, the chief executive officer of the five-day event that begins the Wednesday before Labor Day Weekend, said his team will continue working 'until we're told that we can't.”

Though he understands there is a possibility the event may not happen due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, McWilliams pointed to the State Fair as another large event that has continued to move forward with plans. The State Fair is slated to take place just two weeks before Old Threshers.

'If social distancing continues, that would affect the Iowa State Fair, which is a huge event that happens two weeks before us. They're moving forward - they say they're making a few changes - but they're moving forward,” McWilliams said, adding that he and his team are watching what the fair decides to do since it would be in a similar situation as the Reunion.

'If social distancing still is going on in late-August, size wize, that puts us out of the realm,” McWilliams added.

For now, McWilliams and his team are continuing to order supplies to prepare for their event. The CEO added they're currently trying to decide on what sort of souvenirs to order.

But even though plans haven't been halted by the coronavirus outbreak, businesses who supply goods for the Reunion have been affected.

'Many of the businesses we buy from are in the same boat, some are not working and those types of things. But we have such a standing tradition, and tey know its coming and so we're in that process - laying out where stuff is going to go, ordering supplies, tent requests,” McWilliams said.

He added that everything is 'normal and onetime,” and is excited to see people are still purchasing admission tickets and ordering campsites. McWilliams said the board of directors is slated to meet and discuss how to handle refunds and alternative options should the Reunion be affected by the pandemic.

'Rescheduling would be a whole challenge for us because farmers … will be hitting fields hard for harvest right after reunion, that's one factor. Also everyone is back to school. It would be tough to reschedule in my opinion,” McWilliams said.

But even with the uncertainty of the situation, the CEO noted the Reunion faces challenges almost every year with weather.

'Really, we're affected every year with the weather. A couple years back, we had that huge storm … but we're keeping it positive and moving forward,” he said.