The Rock River Thresheree 2023

(Vintage photo of Steam Shovel courtesy of Rock River Thresheree)

The Rock River Thresheree is the biggest steam powered event of its' kind in Wisconsin. "Steam took us from animal power, horses and mule ... there was no bigger jump in the evolution of modern day agriculture" says Chuck Hendrickson, VP and Director of Rock River Thresheree. The Rock River Thresheree a 501(c)3 non-profit was established to keep the Midwest agricultural history of steam power alive, educational and interactive.  Steam power came to being in the 1850s and slowly faded in the 1920s as gasoline powered engines became the standard. At the height of the steam age there were steam powered pile drivers, steam powered shovels, steam powered locomotives, and on the farm steam powered tractors and threshers. Threshers the name sake of the festival automated the removal of seeds from stalks and husks of area crops. Many of the founding members of Rock River Thresheree are several generation farmers that worked in the field with these very same machines. And above all according to Hendrickson the event is really a reunion of those local people going back to the 1950s. The Thresheree is a "get together, once a year, where we tell stories, run our machines," added Hendrickson. And that tradition is continuing with each newer generation according to him. Hendrickson's son as well as his friends are up and coming members of the organization taking it over and carrying the legacy of the educational foundation into the future.

WHAT TO SEE

The highlight of the Thresheree is seeing these black smoke belching, iron monsters under power moving across the field, working. There are also numerous field demonstration taking place during the weekend such a steam powered pile driver, the harvesting and processing of sorghum, a real steam locomotive available for rides, as well as various antique field equipment. 

And the Rock River Thresheree isn't just steam machines there is also exhibitors, food vendors, live music, a flea market and even a crafts fair. 

THE DETAILS

The festival runs September 2 - 5th. at Thresherman's Park

51 E Cox Rd, Edgerton, WI 53534-9711

Tickets: $10 adults, children under 12 free; Friday only, seniors $8

Phone: (608) 442-4081