LANSFORD The Lansford Threshers and Historical Association has been helping to keep agricultural history alive for the past 45 years.

“This is our 45th annual threshing show,” said John Gunning, one of the board members of the Lansford Threshers and Historical Association, at Sunday’s show.

Gunning said the show is not just to entertain the visitors but to keep the history alive.

The stationary motors lined up on the grounds of the threshing show are identical to those found on any farm in the early 20th century. They were used to pump water or grind feed. But there were also dozens of tractors and harvesting machines at the show, some as old as 90 years and some of them still in working condition.

Many of the visitors at the show were locals while others came from greater distances, such as from Mandan.

“This is really nice for kids to get out and do something, especially in a small town like this and see what we came from,” said Kyle Glaser, who was at the show along with his daughter and nephew, learning about the stationary motors and tractors parked in line at the show.

Kids were jumping and running from one tractor to another while the elders shared stories of the past, about their farmer fathers and grandfathers.

“My father once bought a combine for $1,000 and now, the combine that does the same job would cost around $250,000,” laughed Gunning, one of the board members of the association.

Apart from the historical show, there were several other events going on at the same time to make the annual event more memorable and fun.

“There is a motivational speaker today and he is going to speak about Abraham Lincoln. I like history and that is what brought me here today,” said Char Ulberg, one of the many attendees of the historical show.

The show was held for two days, Saturday and Sunday. Organizers and visitors alike were happy that the weather held for both days.

A blacksmithing demonstration was given by Dean Hagen, Maddock. Hagen said he began blacksmithing seriously about 10 years ago and now creates any number of decorative items, including crosses, Christmas tree ornaments and hooks. His creations have been sold to people from all over the country and in countries such as South Africa and Germany.