PAIN COURT - In less than two weeks, Chatham-Kent will showcase its
agricultural roots when the 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural
Expo begins here.
by Ellwood Shreve https://bit.ly/2wQyg8l
The event, which runs Sept. 18 to 22, is expected to attract more than
80,000 visitors, mostly from outside the community, as they descend on a tented
city being created on Pain Court Line, complete with electricty, running water
and wifi.
“We, as a community, have taken up the challenge of IPM 2018, because we
believe in Chatham-Kent,” said 2018 IPM co-chair Darrin Canniff, during a media
event held at the IMP site on Wednesday.
He said the project is bringing together more than 1,000 volunteers, both
rural and urban, along with local and regional sponsors and hundreds of
exhibitors.
IPM co-chair Leon Leclair believes this event dispels any notion of a
rural-urban divide in Chatham-Kent.
“We are working so well together,” he said.
Mayor Randy Hope said it’s a great privilege for Chatham-Kent to be hosting
the IPM.
“I think what’s really important is more people will be educated on
Chatham-Kent’s slogan: We grow for the world,” he said.
Hope said it is important people learn about the 74 different crops and $3 billion
economic impact that agriculture represents in Chatham-Kent.
Today’s Farmer publication is helping
showcase the IPM and Chatham-Kent as a whole across southern Ontario.
This is an exciting opportunity to showcase and highlight the many positives
in Chatham-Kent, and also display the world-class agricultural industry.
“Excitement is building for this year’s match, which is shaping up to be a
great event for all,” said David Murray, president of the Ontario Plowmen’s
Association, which partners with communities to host the annual event.
“The community of Chatham-Kent and beyond has gotten behind IPM 2018,” he
said. “It’s sure to be a memorable event.”
Plenty of events are planned for this year’s event. These include a rodeo,
the Farmall dancing tractors, the Canadian Cowgirls precision drill team along
with a lineup of music acts, including Canadian Celtic rock favourites Mudmen.
Attempts at setting Guinness world records are new this year. The largest
egg and spoon race and the most people bobbing for apples are examples. There
also will be attempts at IPM records for the longest quilt binding and the most
people eating corn on the cob at the same time.
The world record attempts are designed to add another element of excitement
to the event for visitors.
Other events returning include the auctioneer’s challenge and the
celebration of excellence gala to present plowing awards and crown the 2018-19
Ontario Queen of the Furrow, which are both being held 22 September.
The BMO Ontario farm family awards will take place 22 September to celebrate
the accomplishments of 11 rural families.
Details can be found online at www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2018
Advance tickets can be purchased for $15 until 15 September. The cost will be
$20 at the gate for adults. Tickets for children six to 15 cost $5 and children
five and younger are free.
Canniff said gate revenue is important, adding, “the lifeblood of the event
is sponsorship.
“We’ve had hundreds of businesses step up in various ways to help us out,”
he said.
Organizers ask that participants take note of those who have sponsored the
IPM and support them in turn.
Thamesville, Ont. resident Nelson
Sage and his Belgian draft horses Jeff, left, and Nick demonstrate how to use a
one-furrow horse walking plow on Wednesday 5 September 2018, during media day
at the site of 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo being held
near Pain Court, Ont. The event is being held 18-22 September. (Ellwood
Shreve/Chatham Daily News)
Leon Leclair, left, and Darrin
Canniff, co-chairs of the 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo,
share details about the five-day event during media day at the event site near Pain Court, Ont. on
Wednesday 5 September 2018. (Ellwood Shreve/Chatham Daily News)
