Photo: A historic Sawyer-Massey Steam Traction Engine releases built-up steam pressure while powering a vintage threshing machine during a live demonstration at the Reynolds Museum Harvest Festival. Alicia Lineham - Iron Roots Photography

The roar of steam engines and the distinctive aroma of wood fire heating the boilers filled the crisp September air in Wetaskiwin as the Reynolds Museum hosted its annual Harvest Festival Sept. 5^th and 6th. The two-day spectacular offered visitors a vivid look into the grit, ingenuity, and sheer physical labour that powered prairie harvests a century ago.

Throughout the grounds, volunteers and members of the Friends of the Reynolds Museum breathed life into the past, demonstrating the delicate, lost skills required to start and operate massive historic machinery. Spectators gathered along the fields to watch vintage gas and steam powered tractors take to the dirt for live plowing, swathing, and combining demonstrations.

Among the weekend’s highlights was a showcased Farmall collection, alongside the crowd-favorite tractor starting and driving demonstration. The stationary engines chugged away on display, giving guests an up-close look at the mechanical workings of a hit-and-miss engine.

For many attendees, the history was hands on. Visitors lined up for a rare opportunity to ride aboard a 1914 Rumely Steam Traction Engine. Families participated in the carnival games, and Thistle Hill Farm’s popular petting zoo, where children happily greeted a collection of friendly animals.

Inside the museum, the evocative tunes of the Foggy Minded Mountain Boys drifted from the main entrance through to the archival viewing area. Spectators traveled through interactive exhibits including detailing the inner workings of traditional grain elevators. Nearby, a homemade bread-making demonstration drew crowds—yielding warm, fresh samples and takeaway recipes for visitors eager to replicate the traditional baked goods at home.

The event cleverly bridged the gap between past and present through sponsor Horizon Ag and Turf, which displayed modern farm machinery. The side-by-side comparison underscored both how dramatically agricultural technology has evolved and how the core principles of prairie farming remain rooted in history.

Rounding out the festive atmosphere, a fleet of local food trucks served up lunch, complete with the essential treat: warm mini doughnuts! When feet grew tired from exploring the sprawling grounds, the dedicated tractor shuttle kept the crowds moving efficiently, ensuring everyone could take in every corner of this celebrated annual tribute to Alberta’s rich agricultural heritage.

Ultimately, the weekend offered more than just entertainment; it provided a living, breathing window into the resilient history of Alberta's agricultural pioneers.