Butterfield Threshing Bee
The Butterfield Threshing Bee is an annual event held on the 3rd full weekend of August. The dates for 2009 are Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16th.
NEW FOR 2009
"MINNEAPOLIS-MOLINE COLLECTOR'S, INC. NATIONAL SHOW:
On Friday, August 14th there will be a Tractor Pull. Registration will begin at 4:00 with the pull beginning at 6:30. There will also be entertainment in the evening.
More updates will be made on the 2009 schedule as information
becomes available!
Admission Costs
Adults 13 and overr: $7.00
Children 12 and under: FREE
The Butterfield Threshermen's Association (BTA) is led by a nine member board which sets in motion the plans for each year's show. The Threshermen's Association Board is currently under the direction of President Howard Madson as well as Vice President Steve Laingen. Other members of the BTA Board of Directors include Dave Buhler, Ken Pankratz, Bruce Koenig, David Harder, Jim Lepp, Doyle Janzen and Jim Nasman.
Threshing Bee History
In 1967, the Butterfield Steam & Gas Engine Show made its debut at Voss Park. That first year the Bee was just a one-day event. Members of the first board included Wayne Kispert, President; Frank Harder, Secretary; John Ekstrom, Treasurer; plus Wayne R. Hanson, Ed Streich, Otto Wolner, Art Ommodt and John Pankratz as directors. The first show was a tremendous success as attendance was estimated at about 15,000 people. Voss Park has hosted the Bee every year since then. The non-profit event was changed to a two-day event in January of 1968. It is coordinated by dozens of volunteers each year.