Get behind the wheel at Rock River Thresheree
If you go
What: Rock River Thresheree
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Monday.
Where: Rock River Thresheree grounds on Highway 51 between Janesville and Edgerton. Follow the signs and enter the grounds on County M.
Cost: Admission is $6 for adults, $1 for children ages 6 to 12 years old, and children 5 years old and younger get in free. On Friday, senior citizens get $1 off the adult admission price.
Donate a non-perishable food item and get $1 off an adult admission.
Parking is free.
Photo
Lines of tractors and steam engines are growing at Thresherman's Park north of Janesville as the faithful gear up for the big Labor Day weekend festivities.
EDGERTON — Most of us city folks have had tractor-driving fantasies.
There's something about a tractors that says "competence," "independence" and "American ingenuity." If we could drive a tractor, maybe some of that would rub off.
It's a seductive picture, but most of us probably would end up overturning the tractor in a way that says "incompetence," "co-dependence" and "stupidity."
At this weekend's Rock River Thresheree, city folks can indulge those fantasies—up to a point. The Thresheree runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Monday, and tractor-driving opportunities will be from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visitors will get to drive a tractor around an enclosed area with a Thresheree volunteer with them. Then they can have their picture taken on the tractor.
Our city folk dreams have come true.
Thresheree organizers try to give loyal visitors something new every year, Thresheree President Jim Blank said.
Last year, for example, the Thresheree set a record for the most threshing machines running at the same time. First they set a record with 29 steam-powered engines, and then they set a record with 29 gas-powered engines.
Organizers usually feature a particular brand of tractor, but this year the theme is "Oddballs and Orphans," Blank said.
Visitors can expect to see tractor brands they've never heard of such as General, Huber, Gray, Doall, Gibson, Empire, Avery, Silver King and Cock Shutt.
"Really, most tractors—except for John Deeres—are orphans, now," Blank said.
Many of the companies went out of business during the Depression, were soaked up in mergers or just plain went out of business.
But tractor aficionados all over the country have kept those old names running in tip-top shape.
Along with unusual brands, the show will also include high-crop tractors, tractors for orchards and vineyards and other specialized tractors.
Then, check out the real oddballs: Tractors made from Model T's, with Jeep parts or with Chrysler engines.
And if that's not enough, visitors also can participate in a tug-of-war with a strange opponent—a traction engine.
Here's another big change this year: The parade of power—the endless line of tractors traveling through the natural amphitheatre—has been changed from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Many Thresheree visitors plan their day around this sacred event, so take note and arrive early to get a good seat.
Sep 3, 2009 at 2:10 p.m.
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I agree ballerina, but I do hope everyone gives it a try at least, maybe we are wrong and the parade time change will work, and if not then we can always change it back next year... No matter what it is a great show and lot of fun for young and young at heart. I hope to see you there.
Sep 3, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
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I have been going to the Thresheree all my life! I was two months old when I went to my first Thresheree and I have been to every Thresheree show since! My grandfather was one of the founders....
Since his passing...everything seemed to go downhill...Thresheree was always so much fun. Thresheree to me is like being a little kid in a Candy store...It will always be apart of my life!
Moving the parade isn't going to help the attendance situation...if anything I think it would most likely lower the attendance rate. I'm getting tired of all these changes they are making. If they were to change it back to when it was actually fun...I can sure you that the attendance would sky rocket!
Sep 2, 2009 at 9:20 p.m.
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Tipi16: This is my 40th Thresheree (I will be 40 in Dec)so I too have been coming out to the "park" as we call it all of my life as well.
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I agree this is going to hurt more than it helps. I think people like to come out spend a few hours mid day and leave before suppertime, so they can go home and grill out or what have you. moving the parade so that it lasts until near "closing" time is going to turn a lot of visitors off, as then their suppertime is later (food stands at the park will be shut down at 5:15ish)and it is a late start for any grilling out once they are able to leave the parking and drive home.
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They should have listened to the "old timers" some of the original founders on this one. Like I said, they changed it from 3 a long time ago and it has worked out well for many, many years. Why they want to changes things back now...I don't know.
Sep 2, 2009 at 8:50 p.m.
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twerp 13: Just to inform you This will be my 51st Thresheree (I'm 51) I should have said that my dad was one of the founding members and a past president. I think it is a mistake to move the parade. I don't think the people will stay with the parade lasting until 4:30 5:00. It will put a hamper on the tractor rides to Janesville and Edgerton.
Sep 2, 2009 at 3:58 p.m.
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tipi16: The board suggested the time be moved to 3pm to help keep people on the grounds a little longer and to see if attendance would increase. I guess they believe that the flea market would benefit more and we would have a larger audiance? Personally I think we should have kept the 2pm start time IMHO.
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Many years ago we had a 3pm start time to the parade, but it seemed to drag on forever (the parade usually lasts 1 1/2 hrs - 2hrs, some years it has gone 3hrs) and it was decided to start earlier and make it end earlier and then make it easier on the both the members and the general public , so they could get home for suppertime.
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Now for some odd reason the board in their wisdom has changed it back to the way it was all those years ago never considering there was a method to the madness you could say behind the change to begin with, so we will just have to wait and see how it goes I guess.
Sep 2, 2009 at 1 p.m.
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What a great event!
Sep 2, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.
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Why was the parade moved from 2:00 to 3:00?
Sep 1, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.
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Hope to see everyone there, If you have any questions about the Thresheree or anything you see, just ask at the T-booth, corn meal shed or any member and the volunteers will answer your questions or get you in contact with someone who can.
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For any newcomers there is also a large flea market, and a real train "The Cannonball" you can ride. Also there is threshing done by horses, gas tractors and of course STEAM engines. We have a saw mill where you can take home a piece of fresh sawed cedar plank, a blacksmiths shop and a sorghum mill. All of these are up and running through out the day.
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Just make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and avoid white pants (steam engines throw off lots of ash and it is a bit dusty out there LOL)
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