Hoping to help promote the importance of historical events, the Pioneer Acres Museum is set to host their annual show this upcoming weekend, with 2023’s theme being the “Year of the Deere.”
From Aug. 11 to 13, the museum just north of Irricana will be putting on three full days of events for attendees to participate in and explore. This will be the museum’s 53rd annual show, but the 40th time it will be running in Irricana.
Organizer and co-chair of Pioneer Acres’ annual show, Kim Taylor, said she believes learning about history is important as it reminds people of where they come from. She said organizing this year’s event has been an enjoyable experience, highlighting those who have helped prepare for the big weekend.
“It’s great fun,” she said. “We have great memberships and great volunteers out there working.”
This year’s theme intends to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the John Deere D tractor. According to the National Museum of American History, the John Deere D was the first ever built tractor that was marketed and named John Deere in 1923.
Pioneer Acres is hoping that in celebration of the recognizable tractor and iconic agricultural brand, they will have a John Deere D model from each year between 1923 and 2023 on site. Taylor said they are currently seven tractors short of that impressive total.
The show will provide attendees with various fun-filled activities throughout the weekend. Every morning, there will be a pancake breakfast to kickstart the day. There will also be a steak dinner on the Friday and Saturday, starting at 5:30 p.m.
According to Pioneer Acres’ Facebook page, main stage activities include tractor pulls, slow races, and skills competitions. There will also be field demonstrations that include horse-drawn plowing, steam-driven plowing and threshing, and pioneer world exhibits that include crafts and baking.
Attendees can expect even more over the weekend, with tours of the museum, live entertainment, quilting and rug-making demonstrations, and more.
Admission to take part is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $9 for youth under 16, and free for children six and under.
Those who wish to camp overnight are in luck, as Pioneer Acres has a conveniently located campground next door with un-serviced sites for $20 the entire weekend. Sites are first come, first serve and a shuttle will be provided from the camp site to the show gate.
