By Charlene Corson Selbee
Visitors flock from all over to Mabel, Minn., to take part in the annual Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days festivities. You won’t want to miss the oldest steam engine show in Minnesota, held September 4-7, with its origins in nearby Hesper, Iowa.
The members of the Toot & Whistle Club Inc. – locally known as the Toot & Whistle Boys- invite everyone to step back in time and watch the steam engines at work, sawing lumber, rock crushing, and old-time threshing.
If you can’t attend both the Saturday and Sunday parades, make sure you attend at least one. The mighty steam engines and the resounding calliope set the stage for an amazing weekend in Mabel. It never gets old seeing and hearing the toots and whistles of the steam engines.
Long-time member of the Toots & Whistle Club, Sverre Dahl Jr., said that the calliope is a crowd favorite and always draws a large audience.
On Sunday, September 7 at 10 a.m., visitors can enjoy the Antique Tractor and Truck Pull on the Historical Society Grounds, east of the barn.
In addition to experiencing farming as it was in the early 20th century, Steam Engine Days is the perfect time to reconnect with family and friends. Think of it as a reunion, complete with competitive games of softball and volleyball, live music, a Mabel-Canton High School football game on Friday night, three parades, a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes, and sausage at the Hesper Lutheran food stand, and hours of fun activities for the kids, including a foam party.
Saturday night at 6 p.m. on the south side of park is the Tri-State Pullers Tractor & Truck Pull.
Hop aboard one of the “people movers” running throughout the festival grounds and town on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a leisure ride, and to get the lay of the land.
The full schedule of events, including times and locations, can be found online at visitbluffcountry.com.
Upcoming events in Fillmore and Houston Counties
- September 4-7, Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days, Mabel, Minn.
- September 19-21, Applefest, La Crescent, Minn.
- September 20, Fall for Harmony, Minn.
The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.
For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, and vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.
