44th Annual Plagman Barn Show Days this weekend

By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns

Visitors will take a trip back in time at the 44th annual Plagman Barn Show Days event Friday to Sunday, Sept. 19-21. Machinery, practices and displays on the history of farming and everyday life will be available for viewing, courtesy of the Northeast Iowa Farm & Antique Association.

People from all over the country make their way to northeast Iowa for the Plagman Barn Show Days each fall. The event includes unique displays of many items that can’t be found elsewhere. 

Saturday’s scheduled events include the horse pull at 1 p.m. and a kid’s movie night at 6 p.m.

Sunday’s schedule includes a church service at 9 a.m., antique tractor pull at 10:30 a.m. and the kid’s pedal tractor pull at 1:30 p.m.

Throughout the event, guests can visit the blacksmith shop, wood shop, saloon, school house, church and summer kitchen. Farming and homemaking methods to see from “back in the day” include baling, sheep shearing and rug weaving, as well as rope and broom making. Equipment on display consists of antique tractors and vehicles, steam engines, gas engines, mills and a replica of the Gutenberg printing press. There is also a “Kid Zone” with games and activities for children.

A country store and flea market will be open throughout the weekend. This year, around 40 different vendors will be selling produce, flowers, wood projects, crafts and more. 

Friday will see roughly 200 children from the area’s local schools visit the grounds. They will get to see the displays and tour the buildings, including the country schoolhouse and saloon—serving sarsaparilla.

One of the highlights for Association President Larry Moser is watching children experience the event. 

He shared, “Kids nowadays have a completely different experience, so it helps them understand what life was like. They hear their parents and grandparents talk about what they used to do and this event gives kids a chance to see how they actually did it.” 

Moser hopes it sparks an interest in history and they get to see the community spirit it takes to bring it all together. He expressed gratitude for the volunteers, those who are passionate about history, their hobbies and keeping the tradition alive.

Moser was first introduced to the association by his parents. After he retired, he became a member and has been the president for the last 10 years. 

For Moser, the event is a family affair. His nieces, nephews and grandchildren all pitch in to help bring the show together.

The grounds will be alive with music throughout the weekend with Dave Poggenklass playing on Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m, Triple Threat on Saturday from 12:30 until 4 p.m. and Sounds of Nashville on Sunday from 12:30 until 4 p.m.

Caroline’s Kitchen, run by a 4-H group, will serve food throughout the event. Tasty treats include ice cream served by the Balltown Safari Club and a variety of Millstream’s Soda served in the saloon. The fan favorite chicken dinner will be served by the Holy Cross Catholic Church starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Admission for the weekend is $10, and children 12 and under are free. Raffle tickets will be on sale for a handmade quilt, kids pedal tractor and other prizes. The drawing will occur on Sunday at 4 p.m.

This year, the Plagman Barn is celebrating its 100th birthday. The building was originally built in 1925 specifically for dances during the prohibition era. In August, the Northeast Iowa Farm & Antique Association commemorated the milestone with a celebration and cupcakes at a birthday party-themed barn dance.

Many older locals have fond memories of past events in the building. In Plagman Barn’s prime, it welcomed guest performers from across the country. Lawrence Welk was one of the most notable performers. 

Besides the annual Show Days and barn dance events, Plagman Barn also hosts a handful of weddings each year.

More information on the grounds, association and event can be found on Facebook at “Northeast Iowa Farm & Antique Association” or at www.plagmanbarn.com.