This Saturday and Sunday, the air near Shelby will be filled with smoke, steam and excitement, as part of the 36^th Annual1880 Carstens Farmstead Days Show. One of the organizers, Terry Torneton, who’s been involved in the event as a volunteer for more than 25-years, says Farm Days is an event that aims to preserve and celebrate Iowa’s Farm History through live demonstrations of antique farm equipment and a blend of unique exhibits and crafts.

It’s a tractor and threshing show and so much more. The two-day show is held on the historic Carstens 1880 Farmstead just south of I-80 Exit 34, Shelby, Iowa. The hours are 6:30 am – 7:00 pm both days. Torneton says there are over 250 Vintage tractors and implements on display. Oliver tractors and implements, along with dozens of gas “hit and miss” engines will be featured at this year’s show. Nearly 100 carefully restored Oliver tractors will be on display. Anyone who would like to add his or her Oliver or hit and miss engine to the exhibit is welcome. Register at the registration building near the front gate when you arrive. 

Hit & Miss Engine

A parade of classic cars, implements, tractors and trucks also will take place both days beginning at 2-p.m. Joining the power equipment will be many antique/classic cars and trucks. Traditional demonstrations will be on-going throughout the weekend. Visitors can expect to see threshing machines in action, antique tractor plowing, corn picking, straw baling, blacksmithing, corn binding, and a working sawmill. Admission to Farm Days also allows visitors to wander through the four-acre corn maze which contains nearly two miles of pathways. There will be a number of musical acts under the shade trees. On the main stage near the Carstens’s family home, colorful and talented cloggers will kick up their heels to entertain the crowd.

Nearly 100 vendors are expected to be selling a wide range of crafts, tools, toys and novelty items. Raffle tickets for a beautiful hand-stitched quilt, which will be raffled during Farm Days will be available during the quilt show.  This (Friday) evening pulled pork sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the trail committee. The dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

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.Admission to Farm Days remains one of the best values for any show of its kind. Admission is $5 per day for everyone nine years and older.