-Messenger file photo April Patten, at left, along with Sean Collette, both of Odgen, feed the antique threshing machine in 2018 at the Homer Threshing Bee in Homer. The event returns this weekend.

WEBSTER CITY ­ Like a farmer, Don Lamb is watching the weather. That’s because this weekend he is once again hosting the Homer Threshing Bee.

A signature event will be splitting wood with a black powder-fired device, which means Lamb literally needs to keep his powder dry. That is, the powder for the splitter. Splitting should happen at 10 or 10:30 Saturday morning, he said.

But that’s only one feature of this two-day event that annually draws the curious to what remains of Homer, eight miles north of Stratford on Hamilton County Road R21.

Once a promising little town historically caught in the middle of a county seat dispute, Homer lost to Webster City a long, long time ago and has been in decline since. Now, few buildings are left to mark the spot.

The old church is one.

-Messenger file photo Tim Berven, of Stanhope, parks a for-sale Farmall tractor he was taking for a test drive in 2018 at the Homer Threshing Bee in Homer, above.

Lamb’s home and business is another.

But in the harvest season, or at least at the start of it, old-time threshers converge, and Lamb fires up his saw mill. Visitors can watch people sweat the old-fashioned way. But be forewarned: By 3 o’clock, they hope to be done threshing and baling.

On Saturday, the Stratford Lions will serve a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m.

Then the Homer Threshing Bee food stand takes over, serving homemade sandwiches, drinks and other goodies. It will be open on Sunday as well.

This year, a small building will house a quilt show, along with Homer and Homer United Methodist Church memorabilia.

And, too, this year Von Ketelson, of Carroll radio stations KCIM, KKRL and KIKD, will bring his guitar on Saturday and play from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 2 or 2:30 in the afternoon.

This year, for the vintage tractor admirer, the Homer Threshing Bee will feature Allis Chalmers and Case.

“That’s always a big deal with us,” Lamb said.

Traditionally, the Bee also features all Cockshutt tractors and equipment, and draws all kinds of small engine-driven vehicles and equipment.

On Sunday, there’s even a tractor ride around Brushy Creek State Park that starts from Homer at 9 a.m., weather permitting.

For more information, contact Don Lamb at 515-408-0664, Bill Oberhelman at 515-570-6400, or Jane Stevens at 515-689-5586.

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