Harvest bee will start fair action

Members of the Palouse Empire Threshing Association have been tuning up their vintage equipment and recruiting teamsters for their annual Labor Day threshing bee across from the fairground.

Mike Schwartz, vice president of the group, estimates between 20 and 25 head of draft horses and mules will participate in the event.

The teams are expected to be in the field at about 10 a.m. to start the work. They will be hitched up in the lean-to area on the north side of the fair’s arena barn.

Schwartz said all the vintage equipment should be in action to recreate the harvest mode in the days of teams and stationary threshers powered by a steam engine.

Jenny Meyer from Endicott Food Center will again serve the noon meal for the harvesters and spectators in the community building at the fairground, and the harvest cook shack will be on the scene for snack sales.

Spectators are encouraged to be alert and keep a safe distance from the working teams.