SHELBY – Iowa farm history will come to life September 9 & 10 at Carstens Farm during the 35th Annual Carstens Farm Days.  Threshing, sawmill operations, crafters and vendors, a quilt show and of course, tractors.  The Farm abounds with something for everyone throughout the weekend.

Horse, steam and gas power

Come see steam engines powering antique threshing machines, antique machinery, a parade, crafts, and entertainment.  Over two hundred restored antique tractors will be on display.  The original Carstens farm buildings will be open for tours.  The buildings will be alive with demonstrations that will bring back memories for older visitors and teach valuable history lessons to young people.

Food for all

An evening pork loin sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee.  Proceeds of the Friday evening dinner will go to the trail committee.

All good days begin with a good breakfast and to start Farm Days off right, a pancake breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.  Snacks and lunch options will also be available.  Various non-profit local groups will be offering refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.

On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner at the farm.  Proceeds from the dinner will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead.

John Deere Featured

John Deere GP & D will be the tractors featured during Farm Days.  All John Deere tractors & equipment owners are invited to bring their exhibits to display throughout the weekend.

Horsepower-testing, sawmill operations and field demonstrations will occupy tractor exhibitors all day.  Nearly 250 pieces of vintage equipment were on display during the 2016 Farm Days show.  Visitors will enjoy watching most of the restored tractors as they go through the parade each afternoon at 2 p.m.

Quilt Show

A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the special event building at the farm.  Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy.  Even if you have never displayed a quilt before, consider joining the fun and bringing a quilt to display.  Exhibitors are asked to deliver their quilts on Friday, September 8.    For details about the quilt show or to inquire about adding your quilt to the collection, please call Jan Hursey at 712-544-2662 or Marilyn Evans at 712-544-2266.

Raffle tickets for the beautiful hand-stitched quilt, which will be raffled during Farm Days will be available during the quilt show.  This quilt, pieced by Marilyn Evans and Jan Hursey of Shelby, will be a featured part of the quilt show.  “Area quilters added quilt blocks of their own creation to make this quilt,” says Jan Hursey, Shelby.  “It is a one-of-a-kind, very special quilt.  It’s a new version of a “neighborhood quilt’ that were quilted locally years ago.”

Crafts galore

In case visitors run out of vintage tractors and other pieces of equipment to look at, there will be over fifty crafters and vendors on hand.  A wide array of crafts will be available.  From unique wooden creations to homemade jams and jellies, there will be something for everyone.

A very healthy crop of farm-grown potatoes will also be available for purchase.  Proceeds from the sale of potatoes will help make improvements to the farmstead.

 

Sunday Worship

On Sunday morning a non-denominational worship service will take place at 9:00 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Carstens home.  Everyone is welcome to join in the worship service.

Admission

Admission is $5 per day for everyone nine years and older.