By Dana Botz, Girl Camper Minnesota Guide
I have lived my entire life in Minnesota and until 2022 I never knew there was a humongous logging and threshing show fifteen miles away from my house. How did I not know about this when approximately three to four thousand people attend this event every year? I pride myself on knowing about the interesting, exciting, or unusual things about my state, but I did not know about the White Pine Logging and Threshing Show (Threshing Show) in McGrath, MN. The Threshing Show happens each Labor Day weekend.
The History and The Grounds
The Threshing Show started 45 years ago when the Langenbach family developed this “Museum in Motion” at their family farm grounds in McGrath after they retired from dairy farming. The first collections included small, water-cooled engines and then progressed to old tractors and steam engines. The collections have grown so much that there is something for everyone at the Threshing Show including a historical tractor parade with over 300 units that come from all over the country that lasts about two hours. There is, also, a working blacksmith shop, threshing demonstrations, and a print shop. A non-denominational church service is held at a church building that was moved to a grassy area at the threshing grounds. Other buildings include an old schoolhouse, a post office and a train caboose. The Isle Lions club serves beer in the saloon and a barn dance is held on Saturday and Sunday nights. (https://www.moraminn.com/news/history-comes-to-life-at-white-pine-logging-and-threshing-show-sept-4-6/article_60025d14-05b1-11ec-bef5-87b6652a11b3.html).
Come For The Show and Stay For The Weekend
This weekend long event is best experienced over the entire three days as there is much to see and do. Rather than drive to and from the grounds, campers are welcome for primitive camping. This isn’t a problem since you would probably only sleep in your camper. The grounds are huge, so you’ll want to take the shuttle from the parking area to the Threshing Show grounds. Food is available for purchase from a variety of food trucks and at the daily pancake breakfast. However, if you time your visit correctly to the old house on the grounds, you can pick up a free freshly made cinnamon and sugar doughnut. My mouth is watering just thinking about the doughnuts! I can’t wait to get another one at the next Threshing Show.
See You at The 46th Show!
Have you ever been to a Threshing Show? If so, have you ever been to the White Pine Logging and Threshing Show? Look for me at the flea market as you go by on the shuttle! I hope to see you at the 46th annual show on August 31-September 2, 2024!
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