Wilson Creek Plowing Days return

Annual event brings farming heritage to life

WILSON CREEK — This weekend offers a chance to relive history.

For the 19th year, Wilson Creek will offer its annual Plowing Days, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.

"It's strictly informal," said Wilson Creek mayor Kathy Bohnet, whose family farm will be the site for the event. "It's a group gathering from Washington, Oregon, Idaho — whoever wants to come and can come does."

From "a fellow with a team and walking plow" to eight-horse cinches and everything in between will be participating in the event, Bohnet said.

"They basically plow some acreage behind the farmstead, and then we plant grain later, which we leave standing for wildlife," Bohnet said. "It's not a competition; (we are) demonstrating how they did it in the old days."

Bohnet said the event began after attending similar events in Pendleton, Ore. and Colfax, Wash.

"We got to thinking, there's really nothing like it in our area," she said. "(It's something) people would really enjoy in our area, because (it) had been farmed for horses. We put out an invitation, and people responded."

As the event continued through the years, more and more people attended, to the point that the Wilson Creek FFA began sponsoring luncheon meals, as they will again this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday. Bohnet said there's no way the event could pull off feeding the masses any more without assistance.

There's been up to 80 head of horses and mules at the event, she continued, and about that many people with them. Over 300 people have turned up for the Saturday noon meal, she estimated, and over 100 for the meal at noon on Sunday.

"It's like a reunion for (participants) and they like an opportunity to use their animals," Bohnet said, noting that the event is also good for horse enthusiasts. "It's historic; (people) are not just watching the animal do a job. It's definitely appropriate to this area, because it's how things were done at one time. All ages seem to enjoy it. It's just a fun outing."

Kathy's son Todd Bohnet currently operates the family farm, located about two miles north of Wilson Creek.

"It's part of history, it's part of farming heritage," he said, adding that the event has become a spring social event of sorts.

Free plowing demonstrations are planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday.

The cost for luncheon meals is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and younger.

Those looking for more information can call Kathy Bohnet at 345-2498 or Todd Bohnet at 345-0211.