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The Valmy Thresheree and Antique Machinery Show

Ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa is the sound of an old John Deere moving so slowly its shadow passes it at the Valmy Thresheree and Antique Machinery Show.

Admission is $8 dollars for anyone 13 and older and is located at 5005 Country View Road in Valmy.

This year John Deere is the headliner of the 36^th Annual Valmy Thresheree and Antique Machinery Show in Jackson and it runs from August 16 to August 19.

Visitors will get a glimpse of the equipment farmers used in the early days of Door County farming. These vintage tractors look like little toys compared to the gargantuan tractors that work today's farms.

The Valmy Thresheree and Antique Machinery Show started in 1983 when Bernie and Shirly Geisel wanted asked a group of local farmers to show the old ways of farming. The Northeastern Wisconsin Antique Power Association formed and started operating the event. The first 15 years the event took place on the Geisel farm, just north of Sturgeon Bay.

In 1997, the club moved the even to a 30-acre farm at 5005 County View Road. The club also purchased 10 acres that adjoined the farm in 1998 and that is where the Thresheree remains to this day.

Friday the show begins with John Welch Band.

Saturday there is a chainsaw competition at 9:30 am. The antique tractor pulls with four weight classes of tractors built before 1955 starts at 11:30 am, and there will be trophies for the top three in each weight class.

The Jerry Voelker Orchestra will play polka music for a barn dance from 2 to 5 pm. They will also play for the polka mass and 5:30 pm and celebrated with Rev. Tony Birdsall. The day finishes with music from the Modern Day Drifters at 8pm.

Sunday’s events start with a Lutheran church service officiated by Rev. Ben Enstad at 8:30am. At 10am the children have a pedal tractor pull that is followed by a “Little Farmer” contest. From 10 am to 2pm there are pony rides. A garden tractor pull starts at 10 am. There is a break at noon so the antique machinery can parade in front of the main grandstand.

The day’s events conclude at 3:30pm with the pig wrestling. Teams of four people try to catch a pig and place it on top of a barrel in less the minute. Officials will ensure that the pigs are kept safe. Contestant must preregister for this event.

Visitors can also purchase tickets to win a 1952 Ferguson tractor with loader. 500 tickets will be sold at $20 each. The drawing is at 5pm Sunday. The proceeds benefit the Valmy Thresheree Foundation.

For more information call 920-743-4859 or go to www.valmythresheree.org. The website offers a list of all the equipment that will be used over the weekend.