See antique equipment, practices at Farm Heritage Festival at East Jordan Church

STERLING, Ill. — If you want to see what farming looked like years ago make plans now to attend the 15th annual Farm Heritage Festival, held at East Jordan United Methodist Church, 22027 Polo Road, Sterling, on Saturday, Aug. 27.

The day will start with a good old-fashioned farm breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, pancakes and biscuits and gravy from 7 to 9 a.m.

Tickets for breakfast are $10 for adults and $5 for youth to age 13; under age 5 receive free breakfast. Breakfast tickets are available from church members before the event or at the door.

Admission and parking for the festival are free.

"We enjoy promoting our rural Christian heritage. We hope many people will come out to enjoy the fresh air, learn about farming practices of old and just have fun visiting with others," said Steve Venhuizen, show administrator.

Gerald Van Dusen of Polo, Illinois, pitches wheat straw into Harold Goeking's threshing machine while Goeking, also of Polo, watches at the 2019 Farm Heritage Festival at East Jordan United Methodist Church. (Shaw Media photo)

The active farm machine demonstrations will begin around 9 a.m. and will occur periodically until 3:30 p.m. There will be static displays all day.

This year's active displays will feature a threshing machine, a stationary baler, wagon lifts and elevators, an ensilage cutter, a corn husker and shredder and tractor operations.

A blacksmith will be demonstrating tool-making and crafts. There also will be an activity center for kids and adults to try their hand at powering hand-cranked items such as a corn sheller or a rope maker. There will be a bounce house for children this year.

A farm animal zoo will again feature dairy cows, sheep, goats and more.

A lunch stand will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. featuring sandwiches, baked beans, salads, chips and desserts. Proceeds from the lunch benefit various missions and functions of the East Jordan Church.

A.J. Hinrichs of Oregon, Scott Scholl of Polo, and Jonathon Koch of Dixon handle the hay coming from the loader during a demonstration of old-fashioned farm equipment at the 2019 Heritage Farm Festival at East Jordan United Methodist Church. Steve Venhuizen of Polo is driving the tractor. (Shaw Media photo)

This show is different than most tractor shows in the area with live demonstrations of older farm machinery and practices of years ago.

Another exciting addition this year was born from COVID-19 challenges.

"During 2020, the congregation had been meeting outside under trees and on the lawn for worship when East Jordan congregants decided to build a pavilion," Venhuizen said.

"We had talked about adding an outdoor facility-covered room and open-air sides for outdoor worship and other events. So, we got together as a church in 2020 and built it. It is perfect for the Farm Heritage Festival — please check it out," said Kevin Deets, building coordinator.

Antique farming equipment will be on display and working at the 15th annual Farm Heritage Festival, held at East Jordan United Methodist Church in rural Sterling, Illinois.

The festival honors the Christian family farming history common in the Midwest, Venhuizen said.

"The community surrounding East Jordan Church helps make the event successful. We are always looking for anyone with antique farm equipment who would like to display or run at our show," he said.

For more information about the show or for information on displaying your antique farming equipment, contact Venhuizen at 815-946-2513.