Stan Rauch, Manager

It seems that the just completed 53rd Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree was a big success. Judging by the large number of comments received, and observations made, it was indeed an exceptionally good one. We had a large number of people on hand for the event, especially on Saturday. In my eight years as manager I have never seen that many people on the Saturday of the Jamboree. The favorable weather was no doubt a big positive factor.

There were 102 Ford-Ferguson tractors, trucks and cars registered, along with a large number of other makes of equipment. We had a record breaking 302 parade entries for the Saturday machinery parade compared to the previous record of 230 set in 2010.

Next year the August 25-28 Jamboree will feature the Massey Expo of North America. It will no doubt be a huge event as the result of it being an international show.

Now that the Jamboree is over we are transitioning directly into the Labor Day weekend camping. We will have a large number of campers here but will still have plenty of electrical sites available. Although we close for the season on Labor Day, camping at the village will be available through September and into early October. There is a user friendly self check-in station by the gift shop.

We do have two more significant events yet this year. The first is “The Music and Magic of Patsy Cline” performed by Cassie and the Bobs in the opera house on Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. This promises to be another excellent opera house musical event. Tickets can be obtained by mail at PO Box 256, Madison, SD 57042, by credit card at 605-480-2633, or at the door. Tickets are $20 reserved seats in the first seven rows and $15 general seating.

Then there is the Pumpkin Train on Saturday, October 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is an immensely popular event as the kids ride the train to our pumpkin patch to pick their pumpkins to take home. Last year a phenomenal 646 kids, plus accompanying adults, attended the event.

We have had an exceptionally good season here at Prairie Village. We sincerely thank the many volunteers who do so much to help make it all happen. Sincere thanks also to the Madison area business community. The extensive support is greatly appreciated.