New Centerville Jubilee is a good old fashioned country festival
NEW CENTERVILLE ― Looking for a good old fashioned country festival with lots to see and taste?
The 71st annual Farmers and Threshermens Jubilee is Sept. 6-10 in New Centerville.
For more than 70 years, this festival has showcased the early machines of agricultural life. Demonstrations of antique machinery include a steam-powered cider mill, groundhog thresher flails, horse-powered and steam engines.
Visitors to the festival will also see a stone crusher, hay baler, blacksmithing, broom making and wood carving demonstrations. There are gas engines, Chicago Pneumatic Diesel engines, antique tractors and hit and miss engines.
Sponsored by the New Centerville and Rural Volunteer Fire Co., this year the Jubilee will include a larger area along Route 281 in New Centerville.
"All of our visitors will enjoy expanded grounds, which nicely displays some of the agricultural equipment in a way we couldn't in years prior," said Michele Beener, a Jubilee volunteer. "As an example, a large area is devoted to the history of the threshing machine, and you can enjoy an entire row of them. A threshing machine is a piece of farm equipment that threshes grain, removing the seeds from the stalks and husks (to make flour and animal feed).
More: Somerset Countians in competitive wage environment for rural communities
"Of course, through community support, we have an incredible, expanded 'Heritage Track' with the pulls being a major attraction."
The 2023 Jubilee will also see some other new displays in the expanded space, Beener said.
"We also have lots of room now for folks to bring out new restorations, grandpa's tractor, or a unique antique agricultural item. As always, we'll have a couple new restorations, or work in progress for guests to enjoy," she said.
"As an example, a work-in-progress restoration, a 1923 Aultman Taylor 30/60 kerosene tractor will be on the grounds. This is a giant tractor which pulled typically 8-12 bottom plows and was known as a 'prairie tractor.' This technology replaced steam, and really led to the development of the western U.S. This tractor is nearly restored, but not quite, and won't be operating.
"Also, we want to remind everyone to come out and get our signature apple cider early, because it's really popular and nothing can compare!"
Five days of festivities
The five days of festival activities kick off Tuesday with exhibit entry registrations for quilts, photos, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating contests.
"We always have some lovely handmade treasures on display in the upstairs of the Banquet Hall," said Beener, about the annual quilt show.
The annual Jubilee Quilt, especially made by a volunteer annually, is auctioned off at 2 p.m. Sunday. This year's quilt is a sunflower pattern, synonymous to the early autumn time of harvest, made by Rose Younkin.
"We so appreciate her work to craft this lovely quilt," Beener said in an email.
The Jubilee also offers a variety of other activities for the entire family as Sept. 6 is billed as Give Back to the Community Day and free admission. Give Back to the Community Day is a day New Centerville can celebrate together as a community, she said.
"It's important to us that everyone can participate and celebrate with us as we kick off the event with community and family-driven events like the parade, Jubilee Queen contest, Grandma Hazel's apple pie contest, so this day offers free admission for all," Beener said. "It's also important to note that the fire company appreciates 71 years of community support, and this is just a good way to give back."
Registration of apple pies for Grandma Hazel's Apple Pie Contest and the sale of the apple pies later in the day is a big feature for the day.
More: Enjoy the slopes and activities at Somerset County resorts and more
"Speaking of the pie contest, don't forget to bring those pies to registration between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday," Beener said. "Everyone loves the Grand Jubilee Parade, which is held on Wednesday."
Wednesday is the first day for the quilt show and crafts building to open. Bingo happens in the truck room.
The Grand Jubilee Parade is at 6:15 p.m. The Jubilee Queen contest is in the Museum Hall at 7:45 p.m. The Outdoor Dash, a privy on wheels, is at 8:15 p.m. in the track area. At 8:30 p.m. will be the crowning of the Jubilee King and Queen in Museum Hall.
The parade of antique equipment and threshers, corn shelling and shredding, other demonstrations and music in Museum Hall, will start Sept. 7 on the Jubilee grounds, and run throughout the Jubilee. Steam engine games, an ATV pull and the garden tractor pull are highlights of the day.
Sept. 8 highlights include steam engine plowing, the Longest Beard Contest and farm tractor pull.
"The Longest Beard Contest was the idea of long-time volunteer Clark Brocht, and just a fun way to engage our engineers and threshermen as they prepare to grow out that annual hunting beard," Beener said.
Also featured Friday is the Steam Engine Spark Show.
"The Steam Engine Spark Show is an annual tradition, which my father, Michael J. Miller, would describe it as the country version of fireworks," Beener said. "One of our engineers will build fire in the steam traction engine, creating steam pressure to close 125 PSI. Now keeping in mind that back when steam traction engines were in use (1890-1920s), they led the Industrial Revolution and the sparks at night symbolized the end of a long day of threshing in preparation for winter.
"This is really a special 'look back' to the unique agricultural heritage of our area. In fact, Somerset County was home to 20th Century Improved Traction Engine Co., which was located in Boynton, and manufactured steam traction engines. We have one of these on display at the show. This is an absolute must-see, as there is nothing more magical than the smell of wood chips and cornhusks, creating a beautiful spark display on an autumn night."
Kids day activities is planned for Sept. 9. Pedal power tractor pull and hay bale toss, Steam Ahead 5K Walk/Run, horseshoe pitching contest, arm wrestling tournament and horse pulling contest are all packed into the day. Tractor Buddies Tractor Square Dancing, tug of war with steam engines, and a truck and tractor pull are added to the day's agenda.
More: What's going on in and around Somerset County in September?
"The Steam Engine Tug O War – basically we take a rope, 100 feet or so, and connect it to the steam engine. Then we line up a big group of people, and add more and more people, and they try to 'stop the engine.' The engineer can choose to give it steam and fight back, and it's a fun, interactive way to connect people with the engines," Beener said. "Especially children. We always want more children to get interested in the hobby of restoration. Come on out and see who wins."
The last day, Sept. 10 begins with a community church service. Also, special activities set for the day include a 4X4 pickup and semis pull and Ghost Town Road Show.
Mouth-watering food
No Jubilee would be complete with the scent of food wafting across the grounds. The Farmers and Threshermens Jubilee food available for purchase will include hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, baked potatoes, soft drinks, pie, cake, apple dumplings, soft freeze, pizza and funnel cakes. A chicken barbecue by Creep's Famous Chicken starts at 11 a.m. each day, Saturday and Sunday. Bean soup and cider will be available near the apple cider press demonstration.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: New Centerville Jubilee is a good old fashioned country festival
