Agricultural Heritage Days approaches

LUXEMBURG – The Agricultural Heritage Days, an event celebrating the rich farming history in Kewaunee County, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds in Luxemburg. This year’s event will feature tractor displays, blacksmithing demonstrations and traditional meals prepared on old cook stoves.

The event is put on by the Agricultural Heritage and Resources organization and has occurred annually for the past 32 years. The organization was founded in 1994 to preserve agricultural history in Kewaunee County.

This year’s celebration will feature Allis-Chalmers tractors, Gleaner combines and Simplicity lawn and garden tractors. Allis-Chalmers was a U.S. manufacturer of machinery for various industries which was founded in 1901 and became defunct in 1999. Its business lines included agricultural equipment, construction equipment, power generation and power transmission equipment.

As of 2024, manufacturer Briggs & Stratton announced it will stop manufacturing Simplicity tractors, making them more difficult to find and repair. Gleaner combines date from 1923, and are still manufactured today, although the Gleaner A series production ceased after 2010 and the Challenger and Massey Ferguson machines ceased production in 2017. Board member Julie Siegmund said the event features different vintage and modern tractor manufacturers each year, cycling through to showcase a variety of farming equipment. Although certain brands are featured, all makes and models of tractors are welcome for display.

There will be a shingle mill, steam-powered sawmill and fiber crafts demonstrations, among others. Polka band John Hruska Band will perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each year the organization hosts tractor pulls, this year’s categories being antique and garden tractors. Both pulls begin at 11 a.m. First, second and third place will be recognized in both categories.

“We’re looking for people to come and compete. It does cost $20 per hook [to compete]. We would encourage people to bring their tractor and participate in that and then come and watch it. It’s all included with the admission price.

They can sit in the grandstand,” Siegmund said.

Breakfast cooked on old wood cook stoves will be available to attendees: Scrambled eggs and fried red potatoes with homemade applesauce made offsite. There will also be lunch served starting at 11 a.m. until it’s sold out: A pork roast with sauerkraut and dumplings. Homemade pies and carrot cake will also be available for purchase.

The Little Red Barn from the Kewanee Dairy Promotion will also be at the fairgrounds serving ice cream. Algoma FFA Alumni will be present, serving burgers, soda and beer.

Siegmund said one of the biggest pulls of Ag Heritage Days are the steam engine wagon rides, which take passengers through Luxemburg.

“Our former president who has passed away, Jim Rabas from Algoma Motors, had some steam engines, and one looks like Thomas the Train,” Siegmund said, “Jim’s brother Jeff will be back with Thomas this year.”

The Ag Heritage Days will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday and Sunday.