The Citizen, 2017-07-27, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017. PAGE 11.
Countdown to IP,J••
Souvenirs an important IPM marketing component
A long road ahead
The sale of souvenirs for the 100th International Plowing Match is a big deal and started
several years ago. Allan Carter and his wife Karen, not shown, along with the members of the
souvenir committee, have been selling goods at agricultural events, firefighters breakfasts and
everything in between for quite some time. Above, Allan was selling jackets and collared shirts
at the 2014 Huron County Plowing Match. (File photo)
Continued from page 10
when it comes time for the volunteer
day on Sept. 9, let alone what we'll
have left for the match as far as
colours and styles go"
The Carters said they will have
ample stock left for the event, but
specific colours and styles may not
be re -ordered once they sell out.
While there are no `freebies' from
the souvenir stands, the Carters both
said that they would not have been as
successful were it not for the people
who have helped out. They pointed
to people who have donated to the
cause like Shannon Craig of
McKillop Insurance which provided
the trailer and Tiesma Industrial
Coverings in Holmesville who
provided a shelter to allow the group
to sell rain or shine.
The Carters said that the portable,
wireless bank machine provided by
BMO through a sponsorship with
the IPM is also a big help, saying
that people rarely attend some of the
events with the funds necessary
for some of the more expensive
items.
The souvenir tent will be a pretty
big attraction at the event as well,
though the Carters won't know what
they have to sell until that day.
"We'll be in the middle of Mutual
Square, near the main stage with a
40 foot by 60 foot tent," Allan said.
"It's pretty much right at the centre
of the match."
The committee members feel like
they're ahead of the game as, with
43 volunteers to help, they already
have lined up every shift necessary
to keep the tent staffed for all five
days of the IPM.
While the Carters are happy to
help out, they are looking forward to
seeing their house return to how it
was before they took on the job.
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The two said, with a laugh, that
part of their kitchen has become a
full-time office to keep track of sales
and funds and, early on, their spare
bedrooms became display centres
for the clothing.
"We had four locations in the
house for display with men's
clothes, women's clothes, and two
other collections," Karen said.
This isn't Allan's first time being a
part of the plowing match. In 1966,
during the Seaforth 'Mud Match' as
it came to be known, he drove
tractors, delivering everything from
people to other tractors and helping
people get out of muddy situations.
At the 1999 match near
Dashwood, now known as the 'Dust
Match', he was in charge of the
Huron County Showcase with Keith
Elston and Jacquie Bishop who is
now the chair of the IPM.
"She was our secretary for the
event," he said. "She really kept us
on track and helped, so when it came
time to help for this year, I couldn't
say no"
Allan also said that Bishop used to
weigh the Carters' milk, so they have
a long relationship with her.
Like many other volunteers The
Citizen has interviewed, the
Carters said they were approached
by Bishop and just couldn't
say no.
Those looking to secure their
souvenirs can look at the IPM's
Facebook page which shares the
location of upcoming sales or visit
the Walton Hall or contact the
Carters at 519-522-0399.
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