Hildebrand Threshing Bee set for Labor Day weekend

Dave Anderson, left, and David Rice load bundles of grain into a grain separator at last year’s Hildebrand Threshing Bee. (Submitted Photo)

Vintage farm equipment will be used in a demonstration of historic harvest methods during the Hildebrand Threshing Bee, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2

The annual event is held at Bodnar’s Chimney Rock Ranch near the historic community of Hildebrand. To reach the site, take Highway 140 three miles east from Dairy, and watch for signs at Bliss Road.

Admission is free.

The bee opens at 9 a.m. both days. Activities on each day will include a tractor balancing contest at 10 a.m., threshing at 11:30, an antique tractor parade at 12:45 p.m., and a tractor pull at 2 p.m.

A church service will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the bee site.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase both days on the threshing bee grounds.

The event is sponsored by Branch 21 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association, a nationwide organization made of dozens of antique farm equipment clubs. The local branch is also known informally as the Hildebrand Threshers.

Tickets for a drawing to win an antique tractor will be sold at the threshing bee, and a silent auction will be offered to raise funds for the tractor club. The silent action will be concluded at 2 p.m. Sunday, and the tractor raffle will be awarded at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The local club’s equipment inventory includes two steam-powered tractors, a grain binder and a fully operational threshing machine, along with numerous smaller pieces of farm implements.

For more information contact Branch 21 President Jim Lee at (541) 539-7103.