After the storm, Pioneer Days returns to Central City this weekend

CENTRAL CITY - The mission of Brown Farm Pioneer Days is 'to help keep the past of agriculture and rural life alive.”

To help fulfill that mission, this year's 10th anniversary festival - scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday - features the largest event of the year put on by the Iowa Chapter of the national Massey Collectors Association.

The association, with members across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, brings together all interested parties in Wallis, Massey-Harris, Massey Ferguson and Ferguson tractors, related equipment and memorabilia.

During Pioneer Days, the Iowa Chapter hosts it's annual 'Summer Show” and organizers say those who attend will see a wide variety of red Massey tractors with their signature bright yellow wheels.

'The Iowa Chapter of the national Massey Collectors Association was founded in 2011, and we have around 90 members,” said Kurt Kelsey, of Iowa Falls, president of the Iowa MCA. 'The ‘Summer Show' is our largest event of the year.”

Other Iowa MCA officers planning to attend Pioneer Days are Vice President Wayne Saak, of Baxter; Secretary Tina VanSant, of New Sharon; and Treasurer and Membership Chairman Doug Kruse, of Grinnell.

Many of the Iowa MCA members from across the state plan to bring their vintage Massey tractors and other equipment to Central City to display during Pioneer Days, which takes place at historic Brown Farm, 1361 Sawyer Rd. Members will be on hand each day to share information about their equipment and tell stories about farming with their Massey-Harris equipment throughout the years.

Admission and parking at Pioneer Days is free to the public.

This year's event also features tractor and horse plowing, a steam-powered sawmill, blacksmith shop, Buffalo Fork Settlers Camp, a flea market, petting zoo, pony rides, corn maze, games for kids and food and beverages.

A tractor ride is offered by the Coggon Lions Club at 9 a.m. Saturday and the antique tractor pull, put on by the Eastern Iowa Antique Tractor Pullers, takes place at 11 a.m. Sunday.

At 1 p.m. each day, a Parade of Power featuring antique tractors, cars and horses takes place.

The historic Brown Farm is owned and maintained by the Central City Historical Society. This year's Pioneer Days was put in jeopardy when a tornado swept through Eastern Iowa on June 28 causing damage at the farm. Volunteers pitched in to clean up the festival grounds and prepare the farm for this year's event.

IF YOU GO

What

: Pioneer Days

When

: Saturday and Sunday

Where

: Historic Brown Farm, 1361 Sawyer Rd., Central City

Admission

: Free

Details

: Brown Farm Pioneer Days on Facebook