The organizers of Harvesting Hope are hoping they can set a new world record tomorrow (Sunday, July 31st). Six hundred volunteers from across Canada will harvest a field of wheat with an expected 146 vintage threshing machines participating

The event is being held near Austin at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum during the Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede.

“We are beyond excited. Never before have antique machines of this size and quality all been together on a field,” says Amanda Thorsteinsson, spokesperson for Harvesting Hope.

“The machines have a combined total threshing cylinder capacity of 3,200 inches, and a total horsepower of 4,900, or about the same as one of the big railway locomotives used by CP and CN. It will truly be a sight to behold, and one to remember for a lifetime.”

The plan is to run all the threshing machines for at least 20 minutes. Each machine will be driven by a steam engine, tractor or stationary engine built between 1890 and 1950.

In total more than 35,000 sheaves of wheat will be harvested for the event.

Money raised will be split between the Manitoba Agricultural Museum and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.