Midwest Old Threshers Reunion - Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

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Description – The annual Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, held the five days ending Labor Day each year, provides opportunities for visitors to experience the rich agricultural heritage of the Midwest through interpretive historical exhibits, many demonstrations of machinery operation and crafts, tours, and educational programs. Held on a 180-acre site, visitors can tour on foot and by ground trains, electric trolleys, and a steam-propelled train.

Historical exhibits include operating steam and gas engines, antique tractors, antique cars and trucks, electric trolleys, a steam train, an 1894 steam carousel, a Log Village – where costumed interpreters help visitors experience as life as it was in the 1850s, horse-powered activities such as threshing and transportation of visitors, and memorabilia of early tent and repertoire theatre.

All types of entertainment take place with free music presentations occurring in five different locations on the grounds, Chautauqua talks, and top name country entertainers performing in front of the grandstand on four nights.

In several locations on the grounds crafts and antiques are sold. Crafters, when possible, demonstrate various facets in the preparation of their craft items. In addition, crafts and antiques are sold in the Central Park area of downtown Mt. Pleasant. (Continuous shuttle service is provided from the grounds to the downtown.)

In order to provide for the needs of some of the visitors, free parking and a 60-acre campground are nearby. Food service is provided by more than 20 different non-profit organizations as fund-raising opportunities in most of the areas.

The facility is capable of hosting bus tours and special admission can be arranged for groups of 20 or more.

Admission – Admission to the entire complex is $7 for a single day or $15 for more than one day per person. Children under 15 are admitted free. Those paying admission receive a wrist band that entitles them to move around various parts of the grounds. The admission fees are collected starting with the Monday before the Reunion starts, when temporary exhibits and craft areas are being set up.

Directions – west of junction of US 218 (New Avenue of the Saints - Hwy 27) and US 34, south on Walnut Street, at 407 East Threshers Road. New interstate highway allows for easy access to Mt. Pleasant from the North and South, Hwy 34 East and West is nearly completed as a 4 lane highway from Des Moines to Mt. Pleasant.

Hours – 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday, show ends on Labor Day officially around 5:00 PM or when horse pulling contest has been completed

Credit Cards – American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (when purchasing Country Music Tickets at Box Office and at some Crafters’ Booths

Phone – (319) 385-0000 (Headquarters – only good during Reunion dates); (319) 385-0000 (Box Office – only good during Reunion dates); Main office number (319) 385-8937