Each year, we have a list of hopes for Farm Days .....
We hope that the weather is good. We hope that the crowds are good. We hope that we have a lot of tractors and equipment brought to the Farm for display. We hope that we have a good turn out of the Featured Tractor for the Show. We hope we have a lot of vendors, crafters and exhibitors. We hope that everyone enjoys themselves. We hope that all goes well.
The results this year?
It was, without a doubt, an abolutely remarkable weekend for the 2011 Carsens Farm Days Show!
Be sure to click on the photos to enlarge them.
Many people started their morning by enjoying the Thresher's Breakfast which is put on by the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department.
After filling up on pancakes and sausage, people moved onto seeing the demonstrations at the threshing machines, the saw mill and the blacksmith shop. Others visited the quilt show, the crafter and vendor booths and watched rugs being made. Some checked out the horses; some took a tour of the house. Many others visited the displays of steam engines, small engines, pedal tractors, and of course, the displays of tractors and equipment.
25 Years with the Silver Creek Cloggers
For the past 25 years, the Silver Creek Cloggers have performed at Carstens Farm Show. Each year, they have entertained the crowds with their clogging routines and brought many smiles to the crowds. This year, unfortunately, was their last year of clogging at the Farm, as the group has decided to retire.
Carstens Farm would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to the Silver Creek Cloggers for their contributions of entertainment to Farm Days over the past 25 years. We wish you all well in retirement.
Photos courtesy of Madie Hursey.
2011 Quilt Show
The 4th Annual Carstens Farm Quilt Show was another huge success. It seems to grow each year, and each year, we receive more and more compliments on it.
This year, the theme of the quilt was a tribute to the 10th year anniversary of 9-11. The individual blocks of the quilt were made using the colors of the flag, with the center block being a view of the entrance gates of Carstens Farm. It turned out beautifully, and we had many people vying for a chance at winning it.
This year's winner was Dwight ("Bubba") Goslar of Ute, Iowa.
Many thanks to all who participated!
Be sure to check out more photos of the Quilt Show on the Quilt Show Page.
2011 Featured Tractor Allis-Chalmers
This year's Featured Tractor was Allis-Chalmers. We had a great turnout of exhibitors, and it was fun to see the various models and pieces of equipment.
Thank you to Duane "Fuzz" and Marlene Christensen for organizing this year's Featured Tractor event.
To see a few more pictures of the Featured Tractor, click here:
We were also fortunate this year to have Dennis Johnson's exhibit of an Allis-Chalmers Farm.
If you've never seen this before, you're missing out on a treat. The detail that Dennis has put into this exhibit is really awesome.
Thanks for bringing it, Dennis!
For better viewing, be sure to click on the pictures to enlarge them.
Crafters, Vendors and Exhibitors
We always have a great variety of crafters, vendors and exhibitors, and this year was no exception.
From steam engines and vintage cars and trucks, tractors and farm equipment to horses and wood products, antiques, plants, t-shirts, embroidery items, crocheted items, quilts, crafts, toys, tools, tractor parts and other great items, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The face painting and the temporary tattoo artists were a big hit with the kids. It was fun not only to watch the artists at work but to see the various faces and designs that the kids were proudly showing off.
Parade
At 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, the parade began. Guests were able to enjoy seeing and hearing a little about a variety of different tractors and equipment in action.
Steve Buchanan was kind enough to email us the pictures he took at the parade. Please note the pictures in this slideshow are copyrighted.
Click on Slideshow to see Steve's pictures. Slideshow.
Threshing and Saw Mill Demonstrations
Thank you to Diane Mumm for shooting this video and for letting us link it to our website. To see Diane's video, click here: Diane's Video
While you're at it, check out Diane's videos about her flowers and plants at Picket Fence Greenhouse. dianemummvideos
The old saying "All work and no play" doesn't apply here.
As you can see, there was plenty to do at the Carstens Farm Days Show this year.
Of course, there was a lot of relaxing and catching up with old friends going on too, because after all, isn't that what it's all about?
To those of you who forwarded pictures that you took while at Farm Days, many thanks. Keep the pictures coming!
To all of our volunteers who helped with the planning and all of the behind-the-scenes operations of Carstens Farm Days in any way, we'd like to thank you. You guys are the best of the best. You are what makes Farm Days such a success.
To those who brought tractors and equipment, steam engines, small engines, crafts, antiques, horses, food and wares to sell, your participation is what makes Farm Days such a fun and educational experience.
To those of you who were our guests on Farm Days, thank you for visiting Carstens Farm. We hope that your experience will lead you to not only visit us again next year, but to help us to continue to grow by telling your friends and spreading the word about Carstens Farm Days.
For one last slideshow of pictures. Click here:2011 Farm Show
We hope to see you next year!
Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc. PO Box 302 • Shelby, IA 51570 (712) 544-2341 www.carstensfarm.com
