The National Threshers Association (NTA) is a non-profit group

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 of enthusiasts who are interested in steam-powered

Steam engine

A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...

 traction engine

Traction engine

A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...

s - also known as "steam tractor

Steam tractor

A steam tractor is a vehicle powered by a steam engine which is used for pulling.In North America, the term steam tractor usually refers to a type of agricultural tractor powered by a steam engine, used extensively in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.In Great Britain, the term steam tractor...

s", "steam traction engines" or simply "steam engines" - as well as related equipment. The group's premier event is its annual reunion/show, which features live exhibits of antique steam engines and gas-powered

Gasoline

Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...

 machinery from throughout the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. Dating back to 1944, the annual show is recognized as the oldest event of its type in the United States.

Association Background

Originally organized in 1944 on a farm

Farm

A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...

 in Alvordton, Ohio

Alvordton, Ohio

Alvordton is a former village in central Mill Creek Township, Williams County, Ohio, United States. The population was 305 at the 2000 census. In 2010, the U.S...

, in the northwest corner of the state, thresherman Leroy Blaker’s goal was to provide a weekend gathering of fun, food and fellowship with his hardworking neighbors. Today, at the more accommodating Fulton County

Fulton County, Ohio

Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of 2010, the population was 42,698. Its county seat is Wauseon. Fulton County is named for Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat....

 Fairgrounds in Wauseon, Ohio

Wauseon, Ohio

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,091 people, 2,706 households, and 1,875 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,437.6 people per square mile . There were 2,851 housing units at an average density of 578.0 per square mile...

, that same concept exists to help show others how many of today’s farm tasks were originally handled. The association's current membership is worldwide, and new members are welcomed.

Annual Show's Location & Dates

The annual National Threshers Association show is held during the last full four-day weekend (Thursday - Sunday) in June at the Fulton County Fairgrounds near Wauseon, Ohio. The fairgrounds are located on Ohio State Route 108

Ohio State Route 108

Ohio State Route 108 is a north–south highway that serves Northwest Ohio. It directly connects two separate Ohio County Seats: Wauseon and Napoleon. Southward from there, in combination with OH 15, Route 108 provides one of two direct routes between Napoleon and Ottawa. .-Major...

 just north of the Ohio Turnpike

Ohio Turnpike

The Ohio Turnpike, officially the James W. Shocknessy Ohio Turnpike, is a -long, limited-access toll highway in the U.S. state of Ohio, serving as a primary corridor to Chicago and Pittsburgh...

 exit 34.

Show Events

Each year, the National Threshers Association reunion/show features approximately 50 steam engines - all operating - in addition to hundreds of gas tractors and gas engine

Gas engine

A gas engine means an engine running on a gas, such as coal gas, producer gas biogas, landfill gas, or natural gas. In the UK, the term is unambiguous...

s. Daily demonstrations include wheat threshing

Threshing

Threshing is the process of loosening the edible part of cereal grain from the scaly, inedible chaff that surrounds it. It is the step in grain preparation after harvesting and before winnowing, which separates the loosened chaff from the grain...

, straw baling, sawmill

Sawmill

A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....

, a shingle mill, farm plowing, and machinery parade

Parade

A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...

s with covered grandstand seating for spectators.

Other highlights include antique tractor and steam engine pulling displays, hill climb, engineer

Engineer

An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...

 skills contests, evening spark shows, pony brake horsepower

Horsepower

Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...

 testing, Baker fans, gas tractor parade into the nearby town of Wauseon, and other displays. Air-powered engines displays are also featured, along with photos and memorabilia displays dating back to the reunion's first show.

The John F. Limmer Best Restored Engine award is awarded each year to the steam engine that has been best restored to its original condition.

Equipment That Is Exhibited

The equipment that is exhibited each year at the annual reunion/show represents a wide range of makes and models of steam engines, gas tractors, stationary gas engines and related equipment.

Steam engine makes include: Advance, Advance-Rumeley, American-Abell, Aultman-Taylor, Avery, A.D. Baker, Buffalo-Pitts, J.I. Case, Colean, Frick, Gaar Scott, George-White, Greyhound Banting, Harrison Jumbo, Huber, Keck-Gonnerman, Kitten, Leader, Minneapolis, Nichols & Shephard, Peerless Geiser, Port Huron, Reeves, Robert-Bell, M. Rumeley, Russell, Sawyer-Massey, Upton, Wood and others. Boilers for all steam engines must pass certification requirements for operation, as set forth by the State of Ohio.

Gas tractor makes include: Advance-Rumely, Allis-Chalmers, Aultman-Taylor, Avery, J.I. Case, Caterpillar, Cockshutt, Co-operative Mfg., John Deere, Empire, Ferguson, Ford, Greyhound, Hart-Parr, Huber, International Harvester, Massey-Ferguson, Massey-Harris, Minneapolis-Moline, Oliver, Rock Island, and others.