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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-09-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017. Media, sponsorship day shows off IPM site said, adding the entire space over the two structures will be fully accessible. Huron County Tourism Marketer Jenna Ujiye, who is responsible for the two spaces, spoke as well, saying that the site would feature local creations as a way of promoting the county. She invited everyone to visit the barns, highlighting a juice, coffee and alcoholic beverage bar, works from local artists and a Canada 150 logo made out of Huron County produce. PEACE TOWER FLAG The International Plowing Match site features a special Peace Tower Flag — a rare, large flag from the Peace Tower in Ottawa. The flag is owned by Gwen Richardson and her husband Ray Hildebrand who live north of Auburn. The couple visited the nation's capital early last decade and ascended the Peace Tower to take in the view. There, they signed a book requesting a retired flag from the site. The couple were told that the wait list for the flags was approximately three years long depending on weather and special events. After seven years, the couple forgot about signing the book, however, nearly a decade after originally visiting the tower, the flag showed up in their mailbox. "We were struck by the promise come true and the enormity of the size," Richardson said. "It was bigger than we ever imagined [and] we really had no ability to fly it." Earlier this year, Richardson and Cindy Fisher were travelling to Ottawa when Richardson shared the story. Fisher connected the flag to the IPM site where it was raised during the media and sponsorship day near the centre of the grounds. The preceeding information was provided to The Citizen by Fisher. Pull! Sponsors of the International Plowing Match (IPM) in Walton, as well as media that will provide coverage of the event, were invited to a special behind -the -scenes peek on Sept. 6 at the preparation for the event. The day included a tour of the grounds, as well as a glimpse into what the world of preparing for the IPM is like. While the event, which starts on Tuesday, Sept. 19, will feature professional tug-of-war demonstrations, some less -than -professional competitions were held early during the sponsor/media day. Above, the female members of the IPM executive, bolstered by some Huron County staff and Ontario Queen of the Furrow Anita Rastapkevicius, right, took on the male members of the IPM executive and pulled off a win. (Denny Scott photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen Sponsors of the International Plowing Match (IPM) in Walton, alongside the media that will report on it, attended a special meet -and - greet day at the IPM site in Walton last week on Sept. 6. Secretary Lynne Godkin was emcee for the initial meeting of the event and spoke first, welcoming everyone, before introducing IPM Chair Jacquie Bishop. The beautiful weather and location were lauded by Bishop, who said that the site represented many years of work for the organizing committee. She explained that there was an energy at the site as it was taking shape and the efforts were finally coming to light. Bishop explained that the IPM was a celebration of agricultural roots and she welcomed everyone to take in all the unique opportunities at the site that day which were available due to the hard work of the volunteers. Brian McGavin next took the stage, walking the sponsors and media representatives through the history of the event, starting over five years ago when the Huron Plowmen's Association decided it was Huron's turn to host the event. He explained how the site was chosen and said that, through that process, he had a dream of what the site would look like — a dream that was coming true outside of Walton. McGavin also thanked everyone involved in the event, saying that the key to success was surrounding oneself with great people, which the IPM executive had succeeded in doing. Other speakers throughout the day included Huron -Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Bill Strong representing Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb, Ontario Plowmen's Association President Don Priest, and Ontario Queen of the Furrow Anita Rastapkevicius. Sponsors and media representatives got a sneak peek at the Huron County Showcase as well, which features the best the county has to offer presented through a municipality -by -municipality basis. Huron County Warden and Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn welcomed everyone to the site and explained that Huron County is the natural home for an agricultural event like the International Plowing Match. Ginn pointed to the fact that Huron County is the top producer in the province in farm -gate sales and produces as much, agriculturally, as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia combined. He said half the taxes in Huron County come from agricultural land and the county does an excellent job of environmental stewardship. The floors in the two Huron County structures were also points of pride, according to Ginn, as they were sustainably harvested from Huron County forests. He said the floor will came from the thinning of county forests and were made from small trees that have little economic value. Bernie MacLellan, Mayor of Huron East, the host municipality for the IPM, also spoke to the crowd saying that, while the Dashwood match in 1999 was "amazing", he suspects that the 2017 IPM will top it. Huron County's Acting Chief Administrative Officer Meighan Wark also spoke, saying that the County's showcase would be divided into sections to show exactly what Huron County had to offer including coastline, agricultural spaces and other features showcased. Wark explained the second tent would house a series of nine barns, one for each municipality in the county, highlighting aspects of the communities which are celebrated. The space between the two sites will serve as a spotlight on trails and trees and include a hiking path, Wark On guard for thee A retired Peace Tower Flag, a rare standard previously flown at Peace Tower in Ottawa, was raised near the centre of the International Plowing Match (IPM) site on Sept. 6 as part of the event's media and sponsorship day. VIPs to the match raised the flag while Amanda McClure and Jack Storey sang the national anthem at front. McClure and Storey were two of the three performers that sang the IPM theme song penned by Sherry McCall. (Denny Scott photo) For tickets call toll free 1.877.862.5984 or visit blythfestival,com Canadian Theatre BLYTH FESTIVAL WORLD P FINAL PERF IIEMIERE SEPT 14 @ BMANCES SEPT 15@Spm SEPT 16 @ 2pm IPPERWASH Written by Falen Johnson & Jessica Carmichael Directed by Jessica Carmichael "... a poignant poetic play of home and ancestors, of memory and mythology, of dream and vision told through song, drumming and dance as well as through story. The production unfolds over 70 minutes without intermission. Playgoers will not spend a more significant hour in the theatre this summer." Robert Reid, reidbetweenthelines.com 2015-2017 Season Sponsors Season Media Sponsor Production Sponsor p Parkland eesparlings FUEL CORPORATION env onion mem Blyth Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of osuAssestsaAL fa h•Aree c� d Camdesarts