Will County Threshermen’s Association Director Chuck Uthe oversees the steering of young Nolan Natschke, age 1, with grandparents Michelle and Karl Zilske enjoying the ride, during the 64th annual Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show. (Photo by Stephanie Irvine)

By Stephanie Irvine

The Will County Threshermen’s Antique Tractor and Steam Engine show is doing its best to keep ag history alive, and judging by what they’ve put together for the 64th annual event, it’s clear they’ve figured out the recipe to do just that.
“So many other [tractor] shows are declining, but we try to keep up with the times and add things for the family to do — and we’re growing with new members each year,” said Brad Eike, Threshermen’s Association President.
The investment in making the event a family-friendly affair has paid off in spades.
The kids’ area exploded with even more activities. The many offerings include Bob Homerding’s handiwork created a “redneck basketball” game out of an old farming gravity wagon.
“He’s always making something. Inventive kind of guy — I can’t believe all the stuff he makes,” Eike said.
A magic show amazed kids in the big tent, with scores of families gathered around the magician. There was also a petting zoo from Tordai Farms out of Elwood, and they also brought out their horses for horse-drawn carriage rides.
That’s not the only mode of transportation — there are several wagons, a barrel train, and plenty of carts offering a lift across the sprawling Spiess property on U.S. 52 near Wilton Center.
In addition to all the activities, new this year was the chance to drive an older John Deere farm tractor, overseen by WCTA Director Chuck Uthe, which was a delight for both kids and adults.
Karl and Michelle Zilske brought their 1-year-old grandson, Nolan Natschke, out for a spin, and the trio was all smiles. The families are from the Kankakee area.
“I used to go to a farm show as a kid, and it reminds me of that, but I love how spread out it is and how much there is to look at and do,” Michelle Zilske said.
Eike explained that the core group of members is in their 70s, “though they can still outwork most of us,” but it was exciting to see how many new, younger people are joining and getting involved.
The shelling demonstration was powered by JD Miller’s 1920 Port Huron steam engine, with his grandson, David, helping to keep operations running. Chad Miller, Seth Miller, and James Esposito all helped shovel corn onto the conveyor belt from the corn crib to the grain truck owned by Andy Rousonelos.
“I love it. [The demonstrations] helps preserve farming history using equipment that’s no longer used, and it opens people’s eyes to what modern technology does,” said Seth Miller of Wisconsin.
The Miller family gathers from Maryland, Wisconsin and the Chicago suburbs for the event.
The show also brings other families together, like Elwood’s Bill Freis and his son, Brandon, who came out to see the show and their dad’s 1973 IH 1066, now owned by Gary Anderson.
“Uncle Bill bought it with 1,000 hours on it; now it’s got 3,000 on it,” Anderson said. He’ll use it in the spring to plant corn and soybeans.
The trio swapped stories about climbing up into the cab as young children, when they could still sit on the floor inside it.
For Anderson, the tractor is extra special. It’s the very first tractor he ever rode in, and it was his Uncle Bill and that tractor that got him into farming. Anderson farms in Manhattan and New Lenox.
“I was big enough to look out the window. I remember how big it was then, and each year after the cab got smaller and smaller,” Anderson recalled, joking his leg couldn’t fit through the window today.
It was a little bittersweet for Bill and Brandon Freis, third- and fourth-generation farmers, who, unfortunately, saw their farming time end when the landowner who rented them the ground sold it.
They still enjoy coming out to the show with family and fondly remembering their time behind the wheel, though.
The show draws plenty of individuals who are new to agriculture, too. The result is lots of families learning, exploring, and taking it all in. There’s also a Civil War Living History camp, threshing and corn shelling demonstrations, tractor pulls, harvesting and field demonstrations and so much more. From little kids who love tractors and are there to have fun to those wanting to hear the history, the event has it all.
Each year, the show features a tractor make, with 2026 being Allis-Chalmers’ time to shine, though all makes and models are welcome to join the show. The show has an expanded food area with an overabundance of eats from 4-H to donuts, sweet corn, tacos, and many others.
A flea market gave visitors the chance to take home something special from the show beyond the experience. A presentation of colors from the Manhattan American Legion, live national anthem singer Jess Steffes Crane, and plenty of American Flags also gave a little razzle-dazzle for America’s 250th birthday.
There truly is no shortage of things to see, experience, and learn.
“It’s good for the community to see how farming is done now compared to years ago. I encourage anyone not familiar with farming to come out, enjoy it, and ask questions,” Rousonelos said.
Overall attendance was slightly down this year compared to last year’s event, largely due to the weather, which brought Canadian wildfire smoke, high heat and thunderstorms, Eike explained.
However, on the final day of the show, the clouds parted, the smoke abated, and while it was summertime hot, it wasn’t the humid, oppressive heat that Thursday brought — and the parking lot was packed.
“It’s a beautiful, big crowd today. I’m just so happy people still come out and want to learn. Each generation gets farther away from farming, but this helps keep it going,” Eike said.
Eike showed his appreciation to the Spiess family for hosting the event, event sponsors, all the volunteers who made the event a great success, and everyone who attended and are keeping ag — and the Will County Threshermen’s Association — growing.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.

Chad Miller, Seth Miller and James Esposito work to load corn to be shelled.

Members of the Manhattan American Legion present colors to open Sunday’s events.

Russ and Sharon Jacobs, of Wilton Center, are the King and Queen of the Show and presented a plaque by WCTA President Brad Eike.

Tordai Farms operates a horse-drawn carriage to transport people around the sprawling Spiess Farmground, where the 64th Annual WCTA Steam and Tractor Show takes place.

Peyton (age 4) and Jocelyn (age 1) Harvey are enamored with the little chickens in the Tordai Farms Petting Zoo.

The barrel train ride accommodates everyone, those young in age and at heart.