Professor Farquar and Polecat Annie: 32 years of Old Threshers

An audience of around 80, adults and kids alike, are both sitting and standing anxiously preparing to watch the Professor Farquar and Polecat Annie’s medicine show.

If there’s one thing for certain at The Midwest Old Threshers reunion, it’s that the vibrant Professor Farquar and Polecat Annie will get the people laughing.

Over half the onlookers have seen them at least once in the 32 years they have been performing in the Log Village.

They give the visitors a little bit of everything, weather in be an old time joke from Farquar like, “The early bird gets the worm, but it’s the second mouse who gets the cheese,” or an old time folk tune.

The kids are also given a chance to participate. One young girl was given the opportunity do some plate tricks with Polecat Annie, and another was used as an magic assistant to Farquar.

For 35 years now, the dynamic husband and wife have been performing.

Throughout the years, there have been many rewarding moments for the two, but none more than seeing people come back to the show.

“The most rewarding thing is seeing people come back year after year and they’re saying we can’t come to Old Threshers without coming to the Log Village and seeing the show,” Farquar said. “I don’t change it [the performance] a whole lot, I change a lot of the music, but it’s the same old jokes. They come back for more and I love it.”

The two have performed at over 1,000 venues around the country.

Their variety revue is inspired by vaudeville acts, vintage medicine shows, Ozark string bands, and cowboy balladeers. Their slogan is, “Music, Magic, Mirth, and More!”

Mt. Pleasant has become a second home for the two performers.

“Many people have become friends,” Farquar said. “I have a lot of people here that call me or send emails. It’s like coming home to a family reunion for us. We know more people here in Mt. Pleasant than we know in our hometown.”

Comments: (319) 931-3393; hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com