In tornado’s aftermath, Pioneer Days returns to Central City

Jul. 30, 2017 12:35 pm, Updated: Jul. 31, 2017 1:23 pm

CENTRAL CITY - Even in the aftermath of a tornado that hit the Historic Brown Farm in Central City earlier this summer, causing damage to the property, this year's 10th anniversary Pioneer Days festival proceeded as planned.

'We were at a point where we didn't know if we were going to have a show or not,” said Mark Nosbisch, a member of the Central City Historical Society. 'It was all hands on deck.”

Pioneer Days opened Saturday and wrapped up Sunday at 1361 Sawyer Rd. The annual event showcases farm machinery and highlights how Iowa farm life has evolved over the past century.

Nosbisch said the event would not have been possible without all the volunteers that stepped up after an EF-1 tornado struck during the early evening hours of June 28.

'We haven't logged all the volunteer hours yet, but that's really what it was; all that invested time,” Nosbisch said. 'It took a lot of fuel, a lot of time, and a lot of big machinery.”

He said the tornado left a trail of damage in its wake, knocking down trees, the old chicken coop and the power lines on the farm.

'The worst thing about the tornado was that we did lose a couple buildings and lost a lot of beautiful trees, but out of all that we actually gained some opportunities because there are things that maybe we couldn't do before that now we can in that space,” Nosbisch said.

A variety of other events are taking place as part of this year's Pioneer Days including tractor and horse plowing, a steam-powered sawmill, blacksmith shop, Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp, petting zoo, pony rides, corn maze and games for kids.

'It's a lot of work getting ready for, but when it comes together like right now and you look out and see the sea of cars, it's totally worth it,” Nosbisch said.

l Comments: (319) 368-8538; elianna.novitch@thegazette.com

(from left) Pick up man Jeff Carnanhan grabs a bucket of corn as teamster Jacob Leader of Toddville drives his team of draft horse in the feed sled competition during the Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association's Obstacle Course Challenge at the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The feed sled is a timed competition which requires the teamster to guide his horses to several points on the course where either the driver or the pick man has to place bales of hay or buckets of corn from the sled and then place them back on the sled on the way back through the course. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association member Jeff Carnahan of Central City demonstrates plowing during the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The free two day event included a flea market, petting zoo, steam powered sawmill demonstration, the Iowa Chapter of Massey Collectors 2017 Summer Show, demonstrations and an obstacle course challenge put on by the Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association, and Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

Richard Kepros of Springville drives his 1952 DC Case tractor past a storm ravaged tree during the Parade of Power during the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The free two day event included a flea market, petting zoo, steam powered sawmill demonstration, the Iowa Chapter of Massey Collectors 2017 Summer Show, demonstrations and an obstacle course challenge put on by the Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association, and Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

An American flag is displayed on an antique International Harvester Farmall 560 tractor during the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The free two day event included a flea market, petting zoo, steam powered sawmill demonstration, the Iowa Chapter of Massey Collectors 2017 Summer Show, demonstrations and an obstacle course challenge put on by the Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association, and Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

A crew from the Central City Historical Society operates a 1910 Crabb steam sawmill during a demonstration at the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The wood being cut was from trees damaged by the recent tornado. Some of the lumber will go to Central City Schools shop classes. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

(from left) Pat Megown of Marion listens to Gary Lehtola of Alburnett discuss the Central City Historical Society's 1922 Ford Model T before taking her for a ride around the grounds of the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. Lehtola is a member of the Central City Historical Society and part of the team that keeps the Model T running. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

An antique McCormick-Deering tractor is on display in a field during the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The free two day event included a flea market, petting zoo, steam powered sawmill demonstration, the Iowa Chapter of Massey Collectors 2017 Summer Show, demonstrations and an obstacle course challenge put on by the Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association, and Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

A variety of antique tractors, cars and other vehicles travel the grounds during the Parade of Power at the Brown Farm Pioneer Days 2017 near Central City on Sunday, July 30, 2017. The free two day event included a flea market, petting zoo, steam powered sawmill demonstration, the Iowa Chapter of Massey Collectors 2017 Summer Show, demonstrations and an obstacle course challenge put on by the Iowa Draft Horse & Mule Association, and Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)