Pioneer Harvest Fiesta draws big crowd

The aroma of fine tobacco, cooking sorghum and barbecue, together with the sounds of machines buzzing and engines roaring to life, filled the air this weekend during the 50th annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

More than 2,000 people attended the annual steam and gas engine and tractor show, touted as "the oldest show of its kind in Kansas," to watch tractor pulls, view antique farm equipment and other demonstrations, and enjoy a friendly atmosphere, event organizer Allen Warren said.

Warren said the three-day event received more attention this year than it has in previous years.

"Overall, we feel attendance is up significantly over the last few years," Warren said. "We're very, very pleased with the turnout. It worked is what it amounts to."

Warren also said he did not know exactly what the net proceeds for festival will come to, as several bills are still coming in. However, through corporate sponsorship from 18 local businesses, event organizers will be able to pay the expenses without a problem, he said.

Warren said he personally thanked each and every exhibitor and vendor for everything they did to help make the event a success.

"We're pleased with the support from the business community," he said. "Most (exhibitors and vendors) said they would come back (next year.)"

A heritage quilt show, which took place at the Meyers Building at the fairgrounds, was bigger than ever, featuring 63 quilts that were brought in for display, Warren said.

The cool, cloudless day also provided ideal weather conditions for the festival, which brought out spectators of all ages to witness how agricultural producers of previous generations used farm equipment prior to the invention of the modern farm equipment that is used today.

Rob Massa, Fort Scott, one of the food vendors at the event, took a break from manning the barbecue grill to view all of the people strolling the fairgrounds.

"This is a perfect day for this," Massa said. "This is our seventh year coming out here -- we enjoy it."

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta not only draws antique farm equipment enthusiasts from across Kansas, but surrounding states, as well.

The 51st annual show is planned for the last weekend in September of 2007, Warren said.