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Dating back to 1977, it was two rural Irwin couples, Howard and Dolores Mickelson and Don and Jean Ferry, who hosted an Old-Fashioned Threshing Day.
The idea for the threshing day came after Howard had traveled to Montana to purchase a 1915 Case Steam Engine, similar to the one his family had owned. Mickelson had his steam engine pulling an operating threshing machine at the Irwin Bicentennial Celebration in 1976 and later he gave another steam engine demonstration and hosted a threshing event at a family farmstead south of Irwin.
Ferry had by then purchased a working sawmill and he and Mickelson teamed up for the Old Fashioned Threshing Day event. Approximately 300 people were on hand to watch the threshing of oats and the saw mill in action on that October day. The first event also featured the making of fresh apple cider from an old apple press, a player piano providing tunes, a team of horses and wagon along with other old-fashioned processes and items.
Following this event the non-profit organization, Greenridge Steam and Gas Antique Club, was established and the idea for the annual show was born. The show was named after the Greenridge School which stood a half mile north of the current show grounds.
Visitors to the event south of Irwin again this year will be able to view a number of live demonstrations.
The traditional show takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20 at the Greenridge site, one mile south, one mile west and another 1 1/2 miles south of Irwin.
Live demonstrations include saw mills in operation, stationary gas engines, wood sawing, blacksmithing, broom making, rope making, a shingle mill, a rock crusher, cooking sorghum, free barrel train ride for children, apple cider making, grist flour mill in operation, crafts, quilting and tread mill demonstrations.
On display will be horse-drawn equipment, scale size equipment, gas engines, 1/2 Scale Rumley Steam Engine, 1915-50 horsepower Steam Case Engine and a 1916-65 horsepower Traction Case Engine.
Organizers said there will be country music both days, with musicians welcome to come sit in. Free primitive camping is available. New this year will be a mule jumping event.
A parade will be held at 4 p.m. on each day of the show. On the last day of the event, breakfast will be served on the grounds from 6:30-8 a.m. This will be followed at 8:30 a.m. by a Sunday morning worship service.
