World record harvest attempt this weekend

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Event to benefit Childrens' Camps International

Updated 1 month ago

This bushel bin on the site of the 2010 Harvest for Kids record-breaking attempt reminds passersby of the reason Children's Camps International exists - for the kids.

The ground will be rumbling on a field south of Winkler this weekend as Children's Camps International makes a go at another world record.

The 2010 Harvest for Kids takes place on Saturday, Aug. 7 in the same wheat field CCI used for its 2006 speed combining record attempt.

This time around, the Christian ministry is attempting to gets its name into the record books for the most combines operating at the same time on one field, said regional director Derek Unrau.

Right now, CCI has 180 combines signed-up to take part in its attempt, Unrau said.

"We're cutting it really close," he said. "We would like a few more to really beat it."

Of the combines already committed to participating, many are owned by the same farmers who helped CCI out in 2006, Unrau said.

"There's definitely a lot of familiar faces from the last record, and a lot of new ones, as well," he said. "And they range from Crystal City to the Altona area, up north to Portage ... from all over."

Unrau notes that this record has no speed component to it, so slightly older combines are more than welcome to help clear the 240 acre field.

The only requirement is that all the combines must be running at the same time for at least five minutes, he said.

"The person from Guinness will be checking to make sure we meet that requirement," he said, noting having an official Guinness adjudicator on hand for the event will ensure that, this time, CCI is properly recognized for the record (the 2006 record was never given official approval by Guinness).

If you can spare your combine for the day to help out, contact Unrau at 331-4003 as soon as possible.

Day-long fun

The record attempt takes place at high noon next Saturday, and will likely last about 10 minutes.

Judging by the response the event got in 2006, organizers are expecting at least 20,000 people from all over Manitoba and beyond will fill the sidelines next weekend.

But, this time around, CCI is giving people more reasons to come early and stay later, Unrau said.

"We sort of stretched it out to be the full day this time around," he said. "We have a lot of fun stuff planned."

A farm show - featuring agricultural product displays and demonstrations - and children's activities and entertainment are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. through to 4 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to noon, Danny's Whole Hog Lunch will be available for purchase, as will snacks and drinks throughout the day.

After the record attempt, the Harvest for Kids Meridian grain bin will be up for auction sometime between 1-2 p.m., with the proceeds going to the cause.

And from 2-5 p.m., a variety of musical guests will perform, including Jordan Janzen and Jodi King, Unrau said.

"There will be lots to do ... we hope people will make a day of it," he said.

Aiming for half a million

Between on-site donations, event sponsorships, and the sale of the grain harvested from the field, CCI hopes to raise enough money from this event to send 100,000 children to one of its Christian day camps around the world.

At a price tag of $5 per kid, that's a goal of $500,000, Unrau said.

It's a jump from the approximately $150,000 raised in 2006, but the group is optimistic about its chances, he said.

They also remain hopeful that everything will go just right during the days leading up to the harvest.

"We've been getting a little nervous about the field, but we're praying it will ripen in time," Unrau said, noting warm weather over the next few days - and, especially, the day of - will be a godsend. "We're praying for miracles to happen."

For more on the Harvest for Kids, check out www.harvestforkids.com.

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