As the page on the old feed-store calendar turns to August, I peer upon its first week and witness that annual day of melancholy. A birthday, perhaps, or the anniversary of some tragic event? Hardly. With great highs come great lows. Each year brings for me a number of “can’t miss” events, but one in particular trumps them all. The first weekend in August means but one thing to me: the Eastern Shore Threshermen’s Show. A constant, it was there in that year of Covid, as few things were. On it, you can depend.

I will be there, as much as I can, again this year. It occurred to me when the last show was over that the magic I feel whilst I trod those old grounds has much to do with the people. I think back to 2022, which in some ways was much like 2002 or 1992. In the morning, with the crackle of the PA system, on will come forth Wendy Adams with our National Anthem; her husband Ellery will follow with a word of prayer. Hopefully she can talk him into driving his fine old Cadillac out for us all to admire. George Jackson will be under a tent, collecting good wishes on giant scrolls for our troops. I’ve yet to figure out why a bridge doesn’t yet bear his name. Jill and Jim Phelps will show off a fine array of green equipment.

Tell him you want a personal demonstration of how fast his John Deere bicycle can go! I’ll run into Caroline’s gentle giant, Tommy Blockston, and I’ve yet to make it through the flea market without hearing Carl Frase’s voice. Janie and Michael Eskow were there last year handing out Gideon Bibles. Ronnie Fearins could be found selling raffle tickets for the Preston Volunteer Fire Company. The gang from the Federalsburg Historical Society usually has a raffle or two of its own, including a nicely restored antique trunk by Tom Daffin.

I thought of each of those folks last year, after the show was over. I glanced at photos I had taken, of various tractors and equipment, yet there was not one image of those people. How much more important is Tommy or Janie, George or Ronnie, Carl or Wendy, than a Hart-Parr tractor? I thought of turning my lens to my friends in 2023, yet I likely won’t. Too awkward, I suppose, and I’m awkward enough already!

What you get, my friends, when you stop by the Threshermen’s Show, is the best of Caroline County with an all-star cast. Few things bring me more joy than walking about, smelling the burning coal of the steam engines, hearing an old Farmall or Case purring along, and just being around the salt of the earth. True, when it’s all over I’ll once again find myself feeling a bit down. It just comes from missing an old friend. Lord willing, the show, and I, will be back in twelve. Meanwhile, my friend, will I see you there?

About Threshermen Show

Summertime means it is time for one of the area’s most popular events – the Eastern Shore Threshermen & Collectors Assoc., Inc.’s 63rd Annual Wheat Threshing, Steam & Gas Engine Show will be held August 4, 5, and 6. The showgrounds are located on Rt. 313 between Denton and Federalsburg. The show features free admission and free parking and opens at 10 AM each day.

There will be steam engines, antique tractors, gas engines and antique cars in operation. Among the demonstrations will be wheat threshing, shingle sawing, full size sawmill, rock crushing and broom making. A daily parade of all equipment will be held at 5 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 4 PM on Sunday. Kids of all ages enjoy riding “Smokey Joe”, a miniature steam train which is a replica of the Civil War era “General” locomotive.

There will be something for everyone in the large flea market with over 125 dealers. Friday evening will feature the classic country music sounds of Country Express and Flatland Drive will perform bluegrass music on Saturday evening. Both shows are sponsored by Towers Concrete. Sunday will feature music at 5 PM. All shows are free. There will also be church services Sunday morning at 9 AM.

Exhibitors of antique tractors and steam engines can test their driving skills in the tractor games where they will be competing for trophies. Games will be held Friday and Saturday following the parades at 5 PM. A kid’s pedal pull will be held Sunday at 1 PM.

Exhibitors of all kinds of antique equipment are welcome. There is no charge to exhibit. All times are subject to weather conditions. The public is invited to come out and see how our grandparents farmed and old-timers can reminisce of the good old days. For more information call 410-673-2414, 410-754-8422 or visit us on Facebook. GPS address: 5806 Federalsburg Hwy., Federalsburg, MD.

There will be plenty of good food with fried chicken dinners, crab cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs.