The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Old Tyme Shows

by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner

September 3, 2008

There was a bigger crowd this year at the Henderson County Old Tyme Farm Show in Stronghurst.

Many came to see the men demonstrate the old time ways of farming and to check out the display of machinery.

The largest crowd, however, gathered to enjoy the ham and bean and corn bread meal that the Lafary families traditionally serve, and this year, to the music by the Rob Hull family.

At Mt. Pleasant, Iowa last weekend, you witness a horse being broke for the first time, a bank robbery, lots of antique automobiles, a medicine man magic act, lots of music, shows, foods and crafts. There was a Cowboy Poet who was a Chuck Wagon cook who entertained on the long cattle drives. There was also huge engines puffing black smoke and small motors you hardly noticed running. There was sing-a-longs, kid's show, and pony rides. A kid could even drive an antique tractor.

The boy scouts built and maintain a log village which is very impressive complete with workshops and an Indian village. A Family tent featured gospel and blue grass music, and there was dancing for those who like the two-step.

Toby and Susie were in the Theater Museum, and campers were thick in the huge campground. The trolley cars take you from one end of the complex to the other or you can ride a shuttle or the locomotive train that regularly circles the grounds. Many grandstand events feature everything from tractor pulls to country singers, but like all gatherings, it seems the people like the specialty foods and drinks and the outdoors eating. People came from all over but for most of us, it is nice to have somewhere close.