Several new events will help feature antique machinery for the 39th Annual Divide CountyThreshing Show, set for July 18-20 at the Pioneer Village in Crosby. Up to 1,500 people are expected to come through the gates during the three-day event.

"For the first time, we're going to have a tractor-cade. We'll have the older running tractors meet in Noonan. Starting at 9 a.m. Friday, we'll have groups of five of them run from Noonan to Crosby. They'll go past the Good Samaritan Center in Crosby so the senior citizens can see them," said Donna Haslett-Nelson, president of the Divide County Historical Society and Museum. The mini convoys will proceed down Main Street Crosby and then into Pioneer Village. Those interested in participating should call Doug Graupe at 701-965-6489. There is a small admission fee for participants.

At 11 a.m. next Friday,. there will be an antique tractor and collection auction.

Also scheduled this year is a "Bike to Bee" event, set for that Saturday. Call 965-6566 for more information."They will either bike from Westby, Mont. to Crosby or from Lignite to Crosby, depending upon what way the wind is going," Nelson said. A fee is set up to include admission, meal and water for cyclists.

A 5K fun run/walk also is slated for 9 a.m. Saturday around Crosby. Registration will be from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Of course, the focus of the threshing show remains in featuring up to century-old and larger than life farming equipment/steam engines that rival monster trucks in size. These will be featured in 1 p.m. parades July 19 and 20.

"This is one of the biggest shows in the state," Nelson said. "We have lots of running antique tractors and steam engines." These tractors are featured in parades Saturday and Sunday at Pioneer Park. "The parade is 1 1/4 hours long. It also includes classic cars, horses and wagons. ...We have a large collection of running steam tractors," Nelson said.

Pioneer Village, the home of the threshing bee, consists of 19 restored or relocated buildings. "It's full of antiques and photographs," Nelson said.

"We have a general store, a post office, an old hardware store, and the black smith shop. It serves as a museum during the show."

As stated in the event's namesake, visitors will find threshing demonstrations, plowing, presentations on how a blacksmith shop operated and how the saw mills worked way back when and other steam equipment.

"New this year, is we will have a hand-fed threshing machine from the early 1900s. You actually feed it bundles," Nelson said.

Those attending will find ample musical entertainment. Friday, the Peterson Family of Wildrose will perform at the Potter Entertainment Building.

Home-spun acts will show their stuff at 7:30 p.m. Saturday during the talent show. That will be followed up by a dance with Orvy, Ron and Bea playing.

As Nelson explains it, the show is an unique blend of sentiment and novelty. "We have older people who saw or used the equipment.

They come for the nostalgia. ... The younger people like to come and see what it took to settle the country," she said.

Another new offering will be the colt starting demonstrations. Organizers believe this could draw more people interested in horses.

A special feature for youngsters this year will be a Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, following the parade Sunday.

There will be classic car show and horse-drawn rides offered.

Riders and horse and wagons are wanted to participate in a wagon train that comes in from east of Crosby.

Also available will be a toy show, flea market and the Laura Ingalls Wilder display.

Hungry visitors will find something sumptuous to sample from morning through night. You may opt to start with a pancake breakfast or eggs Friday through Sunday at the chow wagon. There are burgers, refreshments and other concessions available throughout the day as well.

In this year's raffle, visitors could win a 1944 John Deere wartime tractor, $1,000 cash or a yearling Norwegian Fjord gelding horse.

"We have something for everybody. We are trying to do more for the kids," she said. A tent will be pitched this year to allow people a break from the sun.