FROBISHER - After a two-year break, the Frobisher Threshermen's Reunion was a big success and saw higher engagement than before.
"I would say we had more people this year than we've had in a long time coming out to the parade … and we had a lot of support with everything," said Frobisher Threshermen's vice-president Rod Mutton after the event.
The Frobisher Threshermen's celebrated their 50th anniversary Aug. 14 with a day filled with events paying tribute to pioneer times and also entertaining people from all around the area. And Mutton said the day went great.
"We had lots of people there. We had lots of kids' activities, we had the RCMP leading the parade, which was really good for us because it was our 50th anniversary this year. We had lots of people involved. Lots of volunteers, lots of sponsorship, which I'd like to thank everybody for that. Yeah, it was just an awesome day," Mutton shared.
The day started off with a pancake breakfast at the museum, which was open into the afternoon for people to enjoy. The parade showcasing antique tractors and other vehicles gathered at the museum grounds at noon.
"I don't have exact numbers [for the parade], but all the tractors that we had at the museum, were in the parade. The local farmers that have restored tractors brought them in and drove them through the parade. We had floats in the parade. There were cars in there. An old Model T in there. And we had local businesses come in and help us with the pancake breakfasts and everything else, which is greatly appreciated," Mutton said.
The day featured threshing and bailing demos after the parade. Children's sand pile mining was organized in front of the main ball diamond. Kids also had fun jumping in a bouncy house and summiting a climbing wall. A children's tractor pull was on the schedule to make the day even more exciting for younger guests.
There was also a new little surprise for Frobisher Threshermen's guests.
"We had one individual from Estevan who brought out a bunch of pedal tractors and had them on this trailer and drove through the parade. And after the parade, he unloaded all the tractors and let the kids ride around. The kids just had a heyday doing that," Mutton shared.
The crowd was treated to food on the grounds and refreshments in the gardens. Supper was served at the museum with entertainment.
Mutton said they had a lot of support, which allowed them to bring Frobisher Threshermen's together.
"The community here is awesome to support stuff like that."
Frobisher Threshermen's didn't have the event for two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, but that forced break made people just more eager to get back together again once they could.
"It was a really good year, getting the old tractors all going again, and getting everybody involved and getting everybody out of the house to help us. It was a really good year," Mutton said.
"I'd like to thank all the sponsors. If it wasn't for the sponsors that we had this year, we wouldn't have it. We had an awesome turnout, thanks to the community and everybody that volunteers there. It was awesome," Mutton said.
He added that unless there are some restrictions in place next year, they are all in on having the 51st Frobisher Threshermen's.
"There will definitely be one next year as long as there's no restrictions," Mutton said.
