By DOUG SCHMITZ

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Two Iowa antique threshing and plowing shows – one starting later this month and the other around mid-August – will feature some of the Midwest’s rarest and most classic tractors made and used in the late 1800s to early 1900s.

Hosted by the Mid-Iowa Antique Power Assoc., the 31st annual Steam Threshing and Plowing Show will be July 31-Aug. 2, near Marshalltown, which is "dedicated to preserving farming as it was done in Iowa and the Midwest in the early 1900s."

"For 30 years, the Mid-Iowa Antique Power Assoc. (MIAPA) has sponsored a weekend event for the public each year featuring a different brand of farm tractor, gas engine and horse," said Ron Veren, spokesman for the antique farm equipment organization. "As a board member, I am involved in many areas of the show. I enjoy helping with the threshing machine."

Established in 1984, the club has leased property for this year’s show from Marshall County to raise crops of corn and oats, so oat shocking, threshing, straw baling and corn shelling can be demonstrated.

"Horses and steam engines are used for these working demonstrations, along with a sawmill cutting logs," Veren explained.

Among the many events at the show, there will be a display of antique tractors and related equipment (this year, International Harvester), gas engines, draft horses, blacksmith demonstrations, draft horse shoeing, harnessing, potato digging and tractor plowing.

"Displays are different each year depending on featured tractors and engines and horses," he said.

Located eight miles west of Marshalltown on Highway 30, the show will include shingle mill demonstrations, kiddie tractor pulls, Ethan Hungerford’s Tractor Run/Walk, arts and craft vendors, tractor games and the Parade of Power with King and Queen elected, along with a raffle drawing for 154 Cub Lowboy tractor with mower.

He said entertainment Friday night will include ’50s-60s rock-and-roll, and for Saturday night, old country music and gospel music. The admission fee for the show is $7 for the entire weekend.

For more information, contact Veren at 641-750-1132 or visit the Mid-Iowa Antique Power Assoc.’s website at www. miapa.org and click on the 31st Annual Steam Threshing and Plowing Show’s link for additional information.

Featuring the complete line of Hart-Parr, Oliver and White Tractors, front wheel-assist and articulating, the Albert City Threshermen & Collectors Assoc. is hosting the 45th annual Albert City (Iowa) Threshermen & Collectors Show Aug. 7-9, featuring the Hart-Parr 40, 30-60 and Little Red Devil.

The first Threshing Show was in August 1971, with the Threshermen and Collectors Assoc. formally organized in December 1974. This year, the show will also host the National Hart-Parr Oliver Collectors, organized by the Iowa Corn Belt Oliver Collectors.

The show will feature two parades. First, the Feature Parade, held each day at 10:30 a.m. is strictly for items belonging to the year’s feature. "Those interested in entering and driving something through this special daily parade are asked to stop in the Registration Office and make sure their entries are registered," officials said.

The second is the Threshermen Parade, held each day at 4:30 p.m. Entries include antique trucks, autos and tractors, military vehicles, color guard and miscellaneous items.

In addition, this year’s show will also feature the Antique Amateur Tractor Pull, that Saturday at 9 a.m. The cost is $15 per hook, with trophies to the winners in each division.

For the children, the show will feature hoop rolling, water balloon tosses and watermelon seed spitting, as well as a pedal pull, potato-digging and a scavenger hunt. The Talent Show and Contest will start at 2 p.m. that Saturday, with no entry fee, and all ages and types of entertainment are welcome to participate.

There will be a double feature for 2016: Pride of Iowa and the Year of the Draft Horse. In 2017, officials said the show will celebrate the 175th anniversary of Case, while hosting two National Case Collectors clubs.

In 2018, the National Ford-Fordson Collectors will take the spotlight for the annual show.

The admission fee for the 2015 show will be $7 for those 12 years old and up, with admission for all three days at $15. For more information, contact Mike Rebhuhn or Steve Christ at 712-843-2076, or visit www.albertcitythreshermen.com