By Frank J. Buchman
An old-fashioned steam engine will power the sawmill as one featured attraction Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25, for the 38th Fall Festival and Swap Meet, one mile east of Meriden, Kansas, on Highway K-4.
“All activities are at Cottonwood Station, a reproduction living history of an early day Kansas town,” said Jess Noll, president of the Meriden Antique Engine And Threshers Association.
Established in 1977, then developed and maintained by the group, Noll said, “Our purpose is to preserve, through living history, early farming techniques, the appreciation of antique engines, occupations and cultures in small towns and rural areas of early Kansas.”
A special attraction is the stock antique garden tractor pull at 10 o’clock, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon at 12:30.
“There’ll be seven classes with trophies in each class,” Noll said.
Dr. Cook’s Medicine Show will entertain during an old-time barn dance Saturday evening, Sept. 24, starting at 7 o’clock.
A flea market, offering a wide array of arts and crafts and other items, and the making of sorghum, apple cider and apple butter, also are planned.
“There will be plenty of good deals on engines, tractors, machinery, antiques tools and collectibles,” said Noll, noting that Fairbanks Morse is the featured engine this year.
The general store, print shop, blacksmith shop, sawmill, flour mill, log cabin, gas engine building and Simms Garage will be open with working displays.
Services are planned Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, in the Bloomfield Church, and the chuck wagon is to be open for meals both days.
Camping hookups are available, but dogs without a leash and all-terrain vehicles aren’t permitted on the grounds. Utility vehicles and golf carts can be used with a registration fee.
Complete details are available at www.meridenthreshers.org.
