As some old time farmers might put it, "It was a mighty poor day for harvestin;"

Despite the cold and wet yesterday (September 22) the Airdrie Ag Society went ahead with their Art of the Harvest event just west of the city.  The day is a showcase of the way harvest used to be done with antique tractors and other old-time farm equipment on display, horse-drawn wagons, blacksmithing and beekeeping demonstrations, and events to keep chilly children entertained.  A threshing demonstration that had been planned was called off because of the weather. 

Ag Society President Bob Bilben says many people around Airdrie are fascinated by the way harvesting used to be done.  "There's a lot of people that are very interested in the old time harvest.  We're very fortunate we have some neighbours close by here who have some of that equipment and they're happy to volunteer their time to come over and do this every year.  It's been a big success for us. We've had this for the last five years, I believe.  If it's a nice day we usually get 200 to 300 people here."

Kids really have a great time at the event, according to Bilben.  "The kids love it.  They come here and run around and we've got different games for them.  We have the farm safety tent and that's good for the kids to learn about farm safety and what that's all about.  It's great for the kids."

The Ag Society also showed their philanthropic side and gave back to the community through the Airdrie Food Bank.  Bilben explains, "We planted a garden in the spring, we have potatoes and many different kinds of vegetables.  People that come out can purchase a bag of potatoes or vegetables for $10 and the money we raise from that goes to the Airdrie Food Bank."

One of the highlights of the day was watching Molly the Mule making "farm-made" ice cream with a treadmill.  There might have been more demand for the delicacy if the day had been 10 to 20 degrees warmer, but the kids ate it up nonetheless.