We were greeted bright and early on the morning of Saturday, September 11, 2010, with a beautiful sunrise, which was a great start to a fantastic weekend of Farm Days. In the picture to the left, the sun was just starting to rise over the thresh machines.
Be sure to click on the images, as most of them can be enlarged for better viewing.
Farm Days brought the first fall weather of the season, and the fall weather brought a big crowd to the Farm.
As they do each year, the Shelby Saddle Club did an outstanding job in parking cars and assisting people with directions. With the parking lots full throughout the day, the Shelby Saddle Club got a workout keeping the parking lots organized.
It was fun this year to watch not only Albert Wehrli with his mule "Jaspar", but also Albert's grandsons on their horses. Talk about two boys who know how to ride!
There were quite a few people who got out of their cars and took a few moments to watch the boys galloping after a car who hadn't followed their directions. In short order, they'd catch up to the car and get them to where they were supposed to go before going on to park the next car.
Many, many thanks to the Shelby Saddle Club.
This Year's Featured Tractor: Minneapolis-Moline
The entire weekend was filled with things to do on the Farm. From watching the saw mill in operation to seeing the threshing demonstrations to watching the antique tractor parade to seeing the exhibits of steam power, broom making, rope making, rug weaving, spinning wheel, corn shelling, steam engines, horse-drawn and steam-drawn equipment to the food, ice cream and desserts to the crafts and farm toys and tractor parts, there was something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
It was fun to hear the people reminiscing about how they remembered being a kid and having this piece of equipment on the family farm or how that was the first tractor their dad had. Many stories were told and passed along to the younger generations as people made their way around all of the exhibits. The front yard is always a great gathering spot for people to sit in the shade and share their memories.
The front yard is also a great spot to sit and watch some of the entertainment. The Silver Creek Cloggers have performed at Carstens Farm Days for many years, and they always put on a great show.
Silver Creek Cloggers
Silver Creek Cloggers
Silver Creek Cloggers
Monday Night Jammers
There was other musical entertainment as well. The Monday Night Jammers sang songs and jammed with anyone that wanted to join in. Miss Tammy's School of Dance and Jeff McKnabb also performed.
This year's addition of Brian O'Neill's "kid transportation" was a huge hit. The kids had a grand time riding around the Farm in style.
They also love the sandbox and spent many happy hours digging there.
We had special visitors at Carstens Farm Days this year. We were contacted through the website from some people who have been tracing their family history and have discovered that they are distant relatives of Heine Carstens.
They made the trip from Minnesota and upper Iowa to attend Farm Days on Saturday and had a lot of fun learning about the past. To the left, you can see them enjoying a ride on the hayrack through the parade.
Meet the Carstens Crew. Left to right: Dorothy (Breitbach) Carstens, Tim Piehl, Kim (Carstens) Piehl, Mary (Wasmoen) Carstens, Howard Carstens and Jean (Carstens) Edstrom.
Thanks to Kim (Carstens) Piehl for the pictures.
The Carstens Crew
There was a wide variety of vendors and crafters this year at the Farm. There was definitely something to peak everyone's interest.
There was everything from crocheted items to wood crafts to toys, antiques, paper crafts, t-shirts, purses and handbags, jewelry, needlework, Watkins, Avon, honey, apples, bird houses, tools, tractor parts, jellies, plants, face painting, kids games and crafts and temporary tattoos.
Check out some of the photos that Mike Eisenberry and Donna Slater shared with us!
It was certainly a great Farm Days weekend. Thanks to all who came out to see us. We hope to see you again next year!
Thank you to those who shared their photos with us! Please keep the photos and ideas coming!
And, in closing, a special thank you to each and everyone who helped in any way make Farm Days a success. The enthusiasm, dedication and effort of each of you is what makes this organization a community success.
Be sure to check out the "2010 Quilt Raffle" page, the "Quilt Show - 2010" page, and the "Kids Day - 2010" page.
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Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc. PO Box 302 • Shelby, IA 51570 (712) 544-2341 www.carstensfarm.com
