Fifth annual Casco Thresheree: Preserving our Heritage

CASCO – The fifth annual Casco Thresheree was held Aug. 22-24 with the theme of “Preserving our Heritage.”

This year’s celebration featured Oliver Farm Equipment, an American farm tractor and equipment manufacturer from the 20th century. Tractors and machinery were set up on Aug. 22 for display and the Champion Garden Tractor Pullers Club raced at 5 p.m. On Aug. 23, the Frontier Farmers did field demonstrations with their horses and equipment, illustrating how threshing has changed over the years. A Thresherman’s dance was held that night from 7-10 p.m. with a best-dressed contest stipulating attendees wore period-accurate (late 1800s to early 1900s) clothing.

The antique tractor pull took place at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 24 and first through third place won awards.

There were many other live demonstrations besides threshing, including blacksmithing, shingle mill and sawmill. For the first time since the Thresheree celebration began five years ago, there was also a hay loading demonstration.

Children were able to enjoy a dedicated area and kids from the Casco Kidz Zone daycare spent their Friday morning enjoying demonstrations and taking rides around the grounds.