The 47th annual Warren County Old Threshers Association’s (WCOTA) Farm Heritage Days was held August 9 through 11 at the Agricultural Heritage Museum near Warrenton.

“We’re here for the county,” said Lori Hargis, representative for WCOTA. “We want to put a little sunlight on all the tractors each year and share their history.”

The purpose of the organization is to “preserve our American agricultural heritage by collecting, preserving, restoring and showing tools, implements and machinery used by past generations of farmers of Central Missouri.” This year the WCOTA featured Allis Chalmers tractors and Galloway small engines.

The Mid-MO Derby Mowers Lawnmower Demolition Derby kicked off events for Friday evening. Saturday was full of activities, including tractor games, an antique tractor and equipment show, a sawmill demonstration and pedal pull competitions. Music, food and vendors were available. Sunday’s events included the Mid-MO Old Tractors Club antique tractor pull, watermelon eating contests and additional demonstrations.

Zach Christopher of Moscow Mills was just one of the collectors of gas and steam engines whose flatbed trailer showcased a variety of engines. His 100-year-old Galloway Hit and Miss Gas Engines were doing just that, providing a hum and pop, adding to the atmosphere.

“This has been a hobby for me since I was a boy,” said Christopher. “These engines are over 100 years old and still running. Nowadays nothing lasts that long. I enjoy tinkering with them and teaching people of the old technology.”

Christopher said the engines were used for cutting firewood, grinding corn, running a water pump or a washing machine. Christopher enjoys educating visitors about the equipment that “got America’s farmers started.” He attributes his love of the engines to his grandfather, Claire Christopher, and his father, Craig Christopher.

Bernice Schroeder’s bright orange Allis Chalmers tractor, last produced in 1985, was voted Best in Show during this year’s event.

A number of vendors participated in the event, including a blacksmith, beekeepers and woodworkers. The band, Silver Wings, provided music throughout the event.

Hargis said proceeds from the event will help maintain the museum grounds, provide for tractor restoration and maintenance of the vintage J.I. Case threshing steam engine.

The organization was founded in the 1970s by tractor enthusiasts and collectors who were interested in preserving local farming history. It became a non-profit organization in the 1980s.

The WCOTA meets every third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Farm Heritage Museum at 29550 Palmyra Road near Warrenton. For more information visit www.warrenco-mothreshers.org.