WMSTR

WMSTR , or the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, is a nonprofit antique tractor show that draws around 50,000 visitors each year. It takes place annually on Labor Day weekend near the small town of Rollag, Minnesota. Beginning in 1954, the reunion has grown from a few farmers threshing grain as their fathers had to the largest tractor show in Minnesota. WMSTR has become popular location for bonfires and parties among the local people and many others who travel to the Reunion.

Attractions

One of the most popular, visible, and amazing attractions is the SOO LINE 0-6-0 class switch engine #353 which pulls a 500 passenger train around the show grounds. Also present is a miniature train, two full-size steam-operated sawmills, the larger called the Briden-Roen Sawmill after its builders and the smaller mill called Earl's Mill. Other main attractions include the steam hammer, the giant Snow Engine, which has an approximately 24 foot flywheel, and, an area very popular with children, Miniatureland, which holds several hand-built miniature steam tractors and its own miniature sawmill that saws walking sticks for all the visitors who would like one. On the WMSTR grounds, there are several areas devoted to different types of machinery. There are gas engine buildings, a horsepower area, a construction area, and an expo ground. Several hundred tractors are put on display by the workers. In about the last decade, the Main Street area has grown as an attraction for many of those less interested in the mechanical aspects of the past. Main Street has many buildings and demonstrations showing what daily life was like in times past. In additon, Arizona resident George Hoy likes to play his guitar at the concerts to entertain his wife, son-in-law and the Rollag visitors alike. For years Norman Bergseid ran the ticket department, but has since been turned over to Eddie Forsberg. To see more information about Steamer Hill or to see how to become a member visit our website at [http://www.rollag.com/] .

Common names

To most locals, the reunion is known by several names. "Rollag", "Steamer Hill", "WMSTR" or simply "The Hill."

Gunderson Pond

Gunderson Pond is the pond located in the center of the grounds. It is a great place for the Briden-Roen Sawmill to get its wood. This pond is also the warming pond for the logs and Earl's Mill also gets logs from there. It also has its own "Pond Monster," a likeness of the Loch Ness Monster floating in the middle of the pond.

teamer Hill

Steamer Hill is the center of activity on the showgrounds of the WMSTR. At the very top of Steamer Hill lies the show's Administration Building, which is a focal point for both volunteers and visitors to the Reunion. Nearby are several main attractions such as the Model Engines Building, the Pennsylvania Building, and the Carousel. Every day during the Reunion, at 10am and 2pm, Steamer Hill hosts a parade consisting of all sorts of machinery, from old cars to the giant steam-powered tractors.

Wikipedia articles about WMSTR equipment

*Otto engine

External links

* [http://www.rollag.com Rollag Home Page]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=rollag,+mn&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=46.745757,-96.231136&spn=0.010395,0.027122&t=h&om=1 Aerial view of the showgrounds]
* [http://www.wmstrmedia.org WMSTR Media Home Page]
* [http://www.wmstrcommunityforum.com WMSTR Community Forum Home Page]