YORKTON — The sights, sounds and skills of Saskatchewan's agricultural past will take centre stage this weekend as the 68th annual Threshermen's Show and Seniors' Festival returns to the Western Development Museum in Yorkton.
The two-day event, running Aug. 1 and 2 at the museum grounds on Highway 16A West, will feature antique farm machinery, vintage vehicles, live demonstrations, musical entertainment and family activities celebrating prairie heritage and rural life.
Organized by the Yorkton Threshermen's Club, Yorkton Classic Auto Club and the Western Development Museum, the festival has become one of the area's longest-running heritage events.
A special feature this year is an exhibit marking 60 Years of Versatile, showcasing the history of the iconic Canadian agricultural equipment manufacturer.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view antique tractors and automobiles, farm animal displays and historical exhibits while watching demonstrations of traditional skills including blacksmithing, rope making, quilting, clay oven bread baking and rolled oats milling. Other attractions include steam threshing, plowing demonstrations, saw milling, antique chainsaw demonstrations and a Parade of Power scheduled on both days.
Live entertainment will be featured throughout the weekend. Saturday's lineup includes Gary Laycock, James R. Betts, Country Roads and Rama Rednecks. Sunday's performers include Cassandra Betts, Les Anderson, Karin Roulston, Russ Baldwin and Marilyn Fredsburg.
Families will find a variety of activities for children, including miniature airplane and train rides, pedal tractors, an inflatable bouncer and the museum's "Heritage Harvest" seek-and-find activity. Museum galleries will remain open during the festival.
Saturday's activities begin at noon and continue until 6 p.m., while Sunday's schedule starts with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m.
Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and students, and $45 for families. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free, while Western Development Museum members receive free admission.
The event is supported by numerous sponsors and donors, including Canada West Harvest Centre, CLAAS, Richardson, Pioneer, Co-op, Legacy Co-op and Rocky Mountain Equipment.
Organizers say the event offers visitors a chance to learn forgotten skills, experience vintage machinery in action and celebrate the agricultural traditions that helped shape Saskatchewan communities.
For more information, contact the Western Development Museum in Yorkton at 306-783-8361 or visit wdm.ca.
