48th Annual Threshing Bee

In some corners of the world, nostalgia is hard to come by. New buildings are sitting on every concrete corner and it becomes quite difficult to envision what yesteryears may have looked like.

But in our corner of the world, images of bygone days are oftentimes just a gravel road away and although they may not be easily accessible, they are certainly readily available. In keeping with that tradition of preservation, members of the Northeastern Montana Threshers and Antique Nonprofit Corporation are putting on their 48th Annual Threshing Bee and Antique Show in Culbertson Sept. 24-25.

The two-day event is taking place one mile south of Culbertson on Highway 16.

Rodney Iverson is a charter member who was 37 years old when the group of tractor enthusiasts started the organization. “After 48 years at this, our ability to do a hard days work is getting more difficult than it used to be,” Iverson joked. But in reality, members have been diligently planning the event for some time, spending their free moments cutting grass and hay bales in preparation.

This year, between 75-80 tractors will be displayed out at the grounds with the oldest working threshing machine, dating back to 1896, making another debut. In peak years there were about 100 tractors.

Event goers can expect to see log sawing, shingle sawing, lumber planing, stationary engine operation, flea markets and a classic and old cars show.

In recent years, the tractor pull has been added to the program. “It’s turning out to be an important part of this thing because it tends to attract a younger audience. Typically, we see a lot of older people who come to reminisce on their youth and what they did in their younger years. Some of them also like to bring the younger people and show them what life was like back then,” Iverson said.

This year’s featured tractor is the Farmall F12 developed in 1932.

The first Farmall tractor was produced by International Harvester in 1923 and was only released in Texas because the company was not sure the tricycle styled tractor would be embraced by the farming communities across the U.S. By 1926, IH was ready for full scale production of its red or battleship gray colored tractors at its Rock Island, IL, plant.

Like many other members, Iverson has a passion for restoring tractors. “The goal is to put one that doesn’t run in the shop in the fall and have it running in the spring. That seems to be the mentality of most of the members,” he stated.

This season he is hoping to find the correct gray-blue paint color for his 1929 Case tractor; the first of its kind in-line four cylinder engine. One of the problems he is continually finding is that as the tractor increases with age, so does the cost to find the right parts and repair them. “When you start getting tractors that are 60 and 70 years old it really starts getting quite expensive,” he said.

He owns 15 running tractors and five or six that need work.

Maurice Gonitzke, a member of over 30 years, does not restore tractors or own any, but said he recognizes there is an importance in preserving their history. “They are part of our heritage and the steam engines and other equipment are how our fathers and our grandfathers and their grandfathers raised a crop. It’s really enjoyable to watch the members show off their restored tractors and show people that they can still run,” he said.

Over the years, the group has seen some decline in their younger membership as society has become more plugged in and lifestyles are shifting away from the days of long ago. “It seems at one point we had a few younger guys that would help but then they got a girlfriend and a car and we never heard from them again,” Iverson joked.

One Froid youth has aspirations of assisting with the organization when he’s old enough. Hunter Krogedal, 10, wants to continue his family’s rich farming history. He fondly recalls the old tractors out at his family’s homestead and can’t wait to drive his own set of new and collectables some day. “There is a big difference in how technology was back then compared to how it is today and what my grandparents used,” he said. His grandpa, Merle, Froid, was a charter member and his grandma, Sharon, is still very active in the organization. Merle passed away seven years ago. His father, Dave, is currently serving as the president.

Events are as follows:

On Saturday, a pancake breakfast kicks the day off at 7:30 a.m. A slow race between the tractors is taking place at 10:30 a.m. and a youngster coin scramble at 11:30 a.m. The age groups include up to six years old, seven to nine and 10-12 years of age. At noon, there’s a youngster’s pedal pull and old tractor pulling contest. At 3 p.m. the parade of antique tractors, farm equipment and automobiles will take place and at 5 p.m. a free pork barbeque for paid gate purchasers and children.

On Sunday, the events are being held at the same time with the exception of the parade of tractors, farm equipment and automobiles taking place at 2 p.m. There is also a church service being held at 9 a.m. There is no barbecue.

The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit organization with the proceeds helping to offset the expenses for putting on the event.

Buttons for entry cost $6.

For more information about how to become a member, contact Rodney at 406-787-5365. Dues are $20 annually.