As the annual Waterloo County Steam-Threshers’ Reunion gears up for its 19th year, Wallenstein resident Amsey Metzger, who has hosted the event for the its last five installments, knows why the event has proven so durable.
![Amsey Metzger, who is hosting the 19th annual event on his Wallenstein farm, says the weekend is an opportunity to raise money for a good cause.[Will Sloan / The Oberver]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Post_NEWS_steam.jpg)
“You come out and see how things used to be, and how things are now,” said Metzger, who has been preparing on his farm since January. “That’s a reason we’re doing it: to show what was, and what is.”
As usual, plenty of antique farm equipment will be on display for the weekend event, which attracts an audience of some 800-900 people to see classic steam threshers, trucks, cars, tractors, and ditching machines. (For his part, Metzger will be showing off his 1957 tractor). Expect to encounter some connoisseurs.
“There are people that really do a lot of collecting and love the antique things, and spend a lot of time repairing them and getting them back into shape,” said Metzger.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, August 22 with a tractor run departing Metzger’s farm at 8:30 a.m., followed by brunch at 11 a.m.
Friday (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) will be the weekend’s busiest day, starting with gospel singing led by Rescue Junction and the Doug Hiller Family, and followed by an auction and a corn roast. Visitors are encouraged to bring their lawnchairs.
As for Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), “This year, for something new, we’re going to try an antique tractor pull,” said Metzger. “It’ll be the antique tractors that are going to be here with their tractors. Just antiques.”
Other activities will include horse-drawn wagon rides, a corn maze, an antique hay loader demonstration, and the ever-popular bouncy castles for kids.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association and Ontario Christian Gleaners. “It’s good to see how much money we can profit and give back to the community. That’s what gives me a good feeling,” said Metzger.
Amsey Metzger’s farm is located at 7590 Line 86 in Wallenstein. Admission is $5 per person, or $15 per family (with free parking).
More information, including a chance to preorder the event’s 2013 model truck, can be found at www.waterloocountysteamthreshers.com. For more information, call Wayne Martin (519-669-9205), Amsey Metzger (519-698-2944) or Dale Martin (519-669-4556).
