SUKANEN VILLAGE — Visitors to the threshing bee at the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum will find new attractions this year.
The Volman building, housing a farm family’s collection from 1909 homesteading, will have a grand opening this year.
Alfred Volman built a structure for the collection, some of which he retrieved and restored from a slough bottom, and moved it from Leross
“It is worthwhile to see,” said museum president Gord Ross. “It’s a great addition to our museum.”
Among the machinery collection is a static steam tractor, “something we don’t have.”
Grand opening is set for 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11.
The museum is presenting its awards and lifetime memberships at the threshing bee this year.
“We decided to hold them in public this year. Most people don’t realize the time and work that our members volunteer at the museum. We want them to see.”
The museum has a three-year backlog of awards, with presentations at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.
For the first time in years, a buzz saw demonstration will happen. “They will hook a steamer to the buzz saw and do wood cutting,” said Ross.
“We used to do that years ago with a stationary engine.” The buzz sawing will happen after the afternoon car and truck parades.
Visitors can ride out to the museum in the Tourism Moose Jaw trolley each day. The trolley leaves the tourist centre every hour starting at 10:30 a.m. with the final return at 4:30 p.m.. The trolley takes donations for the ride.
The Sept. 10-11 threshing bee show starts at 8 a.m. daily with a pancake breakfast.
Morning events range from the daily tractor parade to Sunday morning church service with Rev. Bob Langdon.
Afternoon activities also involve daily car-truck parades, threshing, and vintage tractor pull demonstrations.
Both days will have blacksmithing, rope making and field demonstrations of ploughing, binding, hand threshing and stationary baler operation.
“Come on out and see how farming was done in olden times.” said Ross.
All buildings will be open for viewing.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
