A large crowd took in the sites and sounds of the annual 'Spring on the Farm and Tractor Show' at the Mennonite Heritage Village on Monday.  There were many demonstrations from the past, including mattress stuffing, sawmill cutting, butter churning, and even fieldwork with a steam engine.

Anne Toews, Mennonite Heritage Village Program Director, says featuring the history helped prevent it from being lost.

"It is important to pass on this history to the younger generation so that they can get an understanding of what their grandparents and great-grandparents went through.  It was a lot different than it is today, and it just gives them an appreciation."

She adds there was something for all family members to enjoy at the event.  Toews says a new kids' theme, 'A Child's World: from Slate to Tablet,' was cause for some new activities.  A tent dedicated to entertainment for kids was set up, where they could participate in things like old-fashioned games and face-painting.  Toews describes some of the favourite displays geared towards them.

"For kids, probably the farm animals because they come out in the springtime.  The kids love to go see the farm animals.  There was also the petting zoo, so there are a lot of first-time firsts on 'Spring on the Farm.'"

Toews says between 1,500 and 1,800 people often come out, but adds the event is not easy to organize.  Still, she emphasizes it all pays off.

"The visitors really enjoy it; they love it.  It takes weeks and weeks of preparation time to prepare for the day, and about 120 to 130 volunteers to run the event.  It was a lot of work to put it together, but it's worth it when we see people coming and having a great time."

Local country band 'The Rock Ridge Pickers' performed under an outdoor tent, and Toews says there were plenty of tractor activities too.

"There were tractor games, a square-dance, and a tractor parade.  There were a lot of antique tractors there - I think they were expecting between 70 and 80 tractors."  She notes the Southeast Implement Collectors club have combined one of their events with 'Spring on the Farm' in recent years, instead of a putting on a separate one.  As well, Toews says a kids' parade also took place, with bicycles and pedal-tractors being some of the vehicles driven.

Attendee Rebeka Klassen says the day was special for her family in more than one way.

"It was my son's second birthday, and he is infatuated with trains, horses, and animals and everything.  We thought it would be a good way to expose him to all of that in one setting, and also show him how things used to operate."

She explains why it is important for local history to be explored as a family.

"So that it's not forgotten - to remember where we came from and how we got to where we are.  So that we don't forget about all the things that we take for granted on a daily basis."

Brad Klassen says his family participated partially to get his kids out of the house and enjoy the weather.  While he says a tractor-pull was their favourite part, Klassen also adds the local history element was great.

"As they ask questions about the different structures and buildings and look at different things, it's fun to let them know that this was how people used to live.  It's a very different world now, but it's okay to let them know where history comes from."

'Spring on the Farm' began at 10am, finishing at 5pm.  Some also joined for a 7am breakfast at the Livery Barn Restaurant.  Toews says this was the Mennonite Heritage Village's first festival-day of the season, with the regular adult entrance fee being $10.  For more information about the event, click HERE.