| Special at the Registry
You may already be familiar with the Mount Pleasant Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, traditionally held on Labor Day weekend by the Midwest OId Settlers and Threshers Association, a non-profit organization that has been around since 1950 and whose mission is to preserve agricultural heritage. But what you may not know is that in October, the Old Threshers are back at it, this time making Halloween a month-long event of fun and scares for all ages.
Terry McWilliams is CEO of the Old Midwest Settlers and Millers Association, and he thinks October is the perfect time to visit Mount Pleasant.
“There’s something for all ages,” he said. “From older children and adults to smaller children and families.”
Two large attractions offer different types of Halloween and fall entertainment.
Thrashers House of Terror has been providing good fun (and scares) for 16 years. McWilliams said children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult, as this is a “haunted house” event. Everything from clowns to mad doctors have provided terror in the past, and the 2022 enchantment season promises “big, never-before-seen things that await you.”
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It takes The Haunted House Crew four weeks to build, prop and light the 12,000 square foot area. Every year, the Central Committee presents new ideas and themes for the different rooms, so it is essential to return year after year.
Location: 405 E. Threshers Road, Mount Pleasant
dates: October 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
Hours: 18:30-22:00. Thursday, from 6pm to 12am Fridays and Saturdays
admission: General admission is $10, or you can purchase a Fast Pass for $20, which will get you into the fastest line. A limited number of fast passes are available each night. Buy tickets online at thrashershouseofterror.com or pay at the attraction.
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Midwest Haunted Rails
Since 1998, the Midwest Old Threshers have teamed up with another nonprofit, the Midwest Central Railroad, to host the Midwest Haunted Rails, the more familiar of the two October event options. For three weekends in October, families can enjoy unlimited rides on the No-Return Ghost Train, Ghost Wagon and Haunted Carousel, while enjoying other activities like bounce houses and carnival rides. McWilliams said this event averages 10,000-12,000 visitors during the month of October.
Location: McMillian Park on South Walnut Street in Mount Pleasant
dates: October 14-15, 21-22, 28-29
Hours: Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 6 to 10:30 p.m. The last tickets are sold 30 minutes before closing.
admission: $15 per person for a wristband; children from 4 years old are free.
Helping the settlers and threshers
Both events help keep the Old Midwest Settlers and Threshers Association alive and thriving. And what is the association’s mission. Herman E. Elgar wrote the Credo in 1951, which is: “Knowing from experience that every generation enjoys a clean, healthy, educational and historical gathering like ours, the Association hopes to always keep the gatherings as this, where we can meet and harvest the golden memories of yesteryear and take a break from our daily tasks each year to visit and relax, always thinking of doing so to improve the future harvest of good coexistence and citizenship.”
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An estimated 10,000 people attended that first Old Threshers meeting, and today that number swells to 40,000 visitors from all over the country and around the world who come to enjoy the old activities and memories invoked during the five day celebration.
Distance from downtown Des Moines: 136 miles
While you’re at it: Visit the Main Street business and don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Harlan-Lincoln House, which features artifacts belonging to the Harlan and Lincoln families, including a fragment of the coat worn by Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated, and also The mourning veil by Mary Todd Lincoln. Grab a bite to eat at Jefferson Street Grill or Little Mexico Restaurant. Check out all things Midwest Old Threshers events at oldthreshers.org and everything Mount Pleasant has to offer at mountpleasantiowa.org.
