A Western Iowa Tradition: Carstens Farm Days

After this Labor Day Weekend concludes, you can stay close to home and come to the country near Shelby, Iowa September 7 & 8. Smoke, steam, straw and family fun will fill the air at Carstens 1880 Farmstead during the 42nd Annual Carstens Farm Days show. Farm Days is an event that aims to preserve and celebrate Iowa’s Farm History through live demonstrations of antique farm equipment and a blend of unique exhibits and crafts. It’s a tractor and threshing show and so much more. The two-day show is held on the historic Carstens 1880 Farmstead just south of I-80 Exit 34, Shelby, Iowa. The hours are 6:30 am – 7:00 pm both days.

A parade of classic cars, implements, tractors and trucks will take place both days at 2 pm. 

Farm Days Weekend is fun for all ages.  Over 250 vintage tractors and implements will be on display for visitors to enjoy.  A variety of steam engines, gas “hit and miss” engines and one-of-a-kind implements will be in operations across the farm grounds.  Joining the power equipment will be many antique/classic cars and trucks. 

Ford and Ferguson tractors and implements. Anyone who would like to add his or her Ford or Ferguson is welcome to exhibit. Register at the registration building near the front gate when you arrive. 

“People are invited to come here and re-live old memories and make some new memories with their family,” says Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc. President Terry Torneten.  “Farm Days will not only showcase the progress of agriculture, it will also showcase the progress our community has made.” 

Traditional demonstrations will be on-going throughout the weekend. Visitors can expect to see threshing machines in action, antique tractor plowing, corn picking, straw baling, blacksmithing, corn binding, and a working sawmill.  Admission to Farm Days also allows visitors to wander through the farm buildings, vendor display and listen to live music. There will be a number of musical acts under the shade trees.  On the main stage near the Carstens’s family home, the Flatwater Drifters, an all-women old-time string band will entertain listeners ahead of the parade.  

Nearly 100 vendors are expected to be selling a wide range of crafts, tools, toys and novelty items. A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the special event building at the farm. Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy. Raffle tickets for the beautiful hand-stitched quilt, which will be raffled during Farm Days will be available during the quilt show. Raffle tickets will be available for three handmade miniature barns.

A Friday evening pulled pork sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee.  Proceeds of the Friday evening dinner will go to the trail committee.  The dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  

All good days begin with a good breakfast and to start Farm Days off right, a pancake breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.  Snacks and lunch options will also be available.  Various non-profit local groups will be offering refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.   

On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner at the farm. Proceeds from the dinner will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead.

Admission to Farm Days remains one of the best values for any show of its kind. Admission is $10 per day for everyone nine years and older.