Heritage Park Adds New Attractions To Annual McKenzie Co. Heritage Day & Threshing Bee Sept. 17

New attractions were added to the Annual Heritage Day and Threshing Bee at the Heritage Park, Watford City, to be held Saturday, Sept.17 starting at 10 a.m.

A Case Steam Traction engine was placed on display in July at the park. The 75 hp. Engine was manufactured by the JI Case Threshing Machine Company, Racine, WI, on May 25, 1910. It was shipped to Rugby, ND where it was sold to F.J. Wagner. It changed hands several times but is presently owned by Lloyd Lester, Fairview, ND.

In the summer of 2010, Lester offered to place the engine on display at the Heritage Park. The engine is for display only because its boiler doesn’t pass inspection and a boiler replacement would cost about $30,000. In the fall of 2010, an agreement was reached. Park Board President LeRoy Lillibridge, with the help of Shane Linseth and Jay Lillibridge, agreed to replace the sheet metal on the rear of the engine, called fuel bunkers and to sandblast and paint the engine which was paid for by Lillibridge. Heggen Equipment, Watford City, transported the engine to Iron Steer Trailers for restoration and on July 9, Clayton Monson, Heggen Equipment, donated the transportation to the park.

The second attraction is a garage which housed the sheriff’s car in the ‘30s and ‘40s.

The dedication of the Don Erikson Fire Station will be at 11 a.m. with Rev. Alton Hillesland, the only remaining member of the original board of directors, as speaker.

Other activities include a coin scramble in the straw and stilt walking for kids, threshing, feed grinding, a horse power demonstration, the Les Sivertson Blacksmith Shop, a working saw mill, shingle mill, four-sided planer and stationary baler. There will be buggy and wagon rides, live music by the “Bah’n Quartet, food concessions, antique tractors and stationary engines. The pioneer village will be open.

Admission is free but donations are accepted.