By Stan Rauch
Manager, Prairie Village

By just about any standard of measurement, the 50th Anniversary Steam Threshing Jamboree that featured John Deere was a resounding success. Judging by the large number of positive comments received, and observations made, this milestone Jamboree was indeed a grand event.

We anticipated that there would be approximately 1,000 tractors here for the Jamboree and we had about 1,100. There are normally 700 to 800 at our Jamborees. There were right at 300 John Deere tractors on site. The featured tractor parade was held on all four days and the largest number of John Deere tractors – 159 – were in the Saturday parade. That’s a lot of green machines in a moving display.

The traffic flow from highway 34 into the Prairie Village parking area went well considering the large number of vehicles involved. The free shuttle bus service from Madison was a contributing positive factor in reducing the number of vehicles coming into the parking area. Overall, the Jamboree had an extremely strong attendance, and the favorable weather no doubt contributed to that.

The winners of the SD Home Baked Pie Contest on Wednesday evening at the board of director’s appreciation supper were Ruth Overby, from Mellette, first prize; Margie Boldt of Madison, second; and Elsa Leighton of Madison, third.

We are always grateful for the volunteers that work throughout the season at Prairie Village. But special thanks are definitely due to the many that directly assisted to make the four-day 50th anniversary Jamboree be so enjoyable and successful.

If you have any comments or suggestions pertaining to the Jamboree please let me know at 256-3644, e-mail prairiev@rapidnet.com or write to PO Box 256, Madison. Continuing to increase our efficiency with all aspects of the event, and the village in general, is always a priority goal.

If you have some good photos that you took at the village this season, we would be pleased to receive them and perhaps include them in our website photo galleries or in conjunction with our other promotional endeavors.

Although we close for the season on Labor Day, we will continue to accommodate campers through the remainder of September. A convenient self-check-in station is located near the Gift Shop.

Actually, we do have one more great event coming up this year. The Pumpkin Train will be held on Saturday, October 6. This very popular event will again feature kids riding the train to our pumpkin patch and picking their pumpkins.

With the end of our official season being Monday, this will be my last column for the year. Thanks to the Madison area business community for the wonderful support of our various events and the village in general. Special thanks to the many Prairie Village volunteers whose dedicated assistance is a major part of what enables us to continue to move forward with positive momentum.

I look forward to working with everyone again next year.