Only individuals proud to live in Iowa can hear the steam whistle blow from the past. On July 29 and 30, the Living History Farms Grain Harvest Festival will relive the old days in its 26th annual celebration.

Located at the Living History Farms, the Festival Fields will take you back to sights and smells that have made working the land an art form. Antique steam engines and harvest demonstrations will begin the festival, while the horse-drawn wagons our ancestors relied on will be on demonstration the whole day.

The threshing machine is clearly the highlight of the festival. Introduced in 1900, the invention changed the whole world doing two weeks’ work in only a day or two.

Tom Morain, director of history, said, “Until 1900 all wheat was hand-harvested the same way since the Old Testament. The machine that looks very plain and quaint today is what actually changed the entire industry. I believe that is the value of living history.” Demonstrations of a threshing machine will be given throughout the weekend.

Events are also planned for more active individuals. A horse-plowing contest Saturday is followed by a tractor-plowing match. Sunday, an antique farm machinery parade is followed by a mule jumping contest, and later people can relax to Old Fiddlers Music on the Festival Grounds Stage.

Awards ceremonies and drawings for prizes will take place on the Festival Grounds also, so everyone can win something. Fun food and refreshments will also be provided each day to satisfy taste buds.

The Festival is located west of Interstate 35/80 and south of Douglas Avenue; a special Douglas Avenue admission gate will be open both days at 9 a.m. A tractor cart will be available all hours during the festival for shuttle service from cars to the festivities.

Living History Farms is also open daily, through October 15, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost each day is $7 per adult since the Living History Farms is a non-profit, educational and historical foundation. Any questions, call 278-5286.