DENTON, N.C. — The sound of steam engines and the smell of fuel fills the air in Davidson County this week.

The 42nd annual Southeast Old Threshers' Reunion kicked off Saturday at Denton Farm Park. Organizers estimate between 40,000 and 50,000 people from across the world made the trip to the 100-acre farm for the festivities.

"This is the premiere event in the Southeast U.S. to celebrate our agricultural heritage, and I'm one to believe it's hard to go forward in the future if you don't know where you've come from and how you've got there, so this is a perfect example about our agricultural heritage," said NC Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.

The Threshers' Reunion runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. now through Wednesday.