MAKOTI Visitors can take a step back in time and enjoy a pioneer prairie harvest during the 50th Annual Makoti Threshing Show Oct. 2-3 in Makoti.
A "Tractor Trek" will kick-start the event on Friday, Oct. 1. The tractors will assemble in Makoti at 8:45 a.m., travel to Ryder for coffee and then back to Makoti for lunch.
The exhibition, advertised as North Dakota's largest, has more than 300 operating units. There will be a large parade each day at 1 p.m., followed by threshing and plowing on the threshing grounds south of town.
New events this year include bingo on Sunday, a kiddie parade on Saturday, kids games with prizes both days, live music Saturday night, a chili cookoff on Saturday and a Dutch oven cookoff on Sunday.
Set up for the chili cookoff on Saturday is at 11a.m., with judging at 4 p.m. There are two categories: traditional chili (without beans or any other fillers) and chili with beans or other fillers. The event will be held in the John Deere Building.
The Dutch oven cookoff is scheduled for Sunday with three categories: desserts, breads and main courses. Set up will be at 11 a.m. in the South Building with judging set for 3:30 p.m.
Fact Box
Admission, parking,
location
The purchase of a $10 button covers admission for both days of the 50th Annual Makoti Threshing Show. There is no charge for high school and younger children.
Vehicle parking is free of charge and handicapped parking is available. There are modern showers and bathrooms located on the grounds, and camping on grounds (with or without electrical hookups) is also available.
Makoti is located on N.D. Highway 23, 43 miles southwest of Minot (18 miles south on U.S. Highway 83, 24 miles west on N.D. Highway 23 and one mile south on Ward County 9).
For more information about registrations and rules for the chili cookoff and Dutch oven cookoff call 898-3450. Pre-registration is required.
Featured activities include a huge stationary engine display, North Dakota's largest crawler tractor collection and an antique power log saw and a shingle mill in operation. There will also be a chain saw carving demonstration both days. A 7th Cavalry 1862 Napoleon cannon firing demonstration takes place both afternoons.
The Pioneer Village consists of a church, cook cars, homestead shacks, country school, post office and a working blacksmith shop. The buildings have been furnished with items of the time period.
Special Saturday events include an adult and kiddie tractor pull, tractor barrel roll and an historic ladies presentation. There will be a jam session from 4 to 8 p.m. for anyone who wants to entertain. Local entertainer, David Diffely, performs from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Sunday's highlights are a church service in the Pioneer Village, an antique tractor pull and the two-cylinder John Deere slow race.
The Giant Pumpkin Contest is also being held again this year. Giant pumpkins are raised from special seeds and can grow to more than 1,000 pounds. Judging takes place Saturday at 5 p.m. There will be a silent auction on both days for those interested in purchasing a pumpkin. Visitors can win prizes for guessing the weight of the pumpkins if they purchase a ticket. Prizes will be awarded for the prettiest pumpkin and for the largest pumpkin. The pumpkins will be displayed in or by the John Deere building, depending on the weather. All entries will be weighed upon request. There's a limit of one pumpkin per household and they must be home grown, not purchased, and of sound condition. The stem will be included in the weight. No extra weight may be added.
Shopping is also available in the large indoor flea market and at the souvenir booth at the announcer's stand. Tickets for a handcrafted wooden chest are available; the drawing will be held Sunday. The flea market has a new location the heated Middle Building with a new hard-surfaced floor and electricity.
Food of all kinds are are available at the show from sit-down dinners to cotton candy. Church auxiliary organizations are serving lunches and dinners at cook cars on the threshing grounds and at the Makoti Legion and Makoti Cafe uptown. The Makoti Centennial Committee is sponsoring a Whiskey Steak Fry at the K-Bar on Friday night. Students from the Lewis and Clark School District will host a spaghetti supper on Saturday night and a threshers' pancake breakfast on Sunday morning as fundraisers. Vendors will also be on the threshing grounds, serving a variety of tempting items.