Rollag, MN. – Labor Day weekend’s annual Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion took place with over 82,000 visitors during the long weekend. Gates opened at 6 AM and activites went late into the evening ending with a Spark Show at dark. The 2025 theme was “Horsepower” with horse-powered equipment featured.
Each day there were two parades on Steamer Hill also showcasing the giant steam-powered tractors, old cars and all types of machinery. The Nelson crew started the parade at the top of the hill with demonstrating whistle calls.
The area had continual active exhibits and farming demonstrations showing the way daily life was in the past. Steam and Gas Threshing, Tractor pull, Horse powered demonstration and many more activites. Musical entertainment and square dancing was going on throughout the day.
The event covered over 200 acres and more than 2,000 volunteers. A steam engine circled the grounds to accommodate easy transportation to all areas and many tractors pulling trailers to take visitors to locations. The Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion (WMSTR) in Rollag, MN, and the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant, IA, are considered two of the largest steam threshing shows in the United States
Hunter Wells/Nancy Ann Peterson, photographer, 2:00 pm Sept. 2, 2025