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The Citizen, 2017-10-26, Page 354 she said. "We had 650 people in attendance and that is phenomenal. We are very happy." PRINCESS COMPETITION Barb Terpstra was the head of a committee that, in her words, didn't make history but started history when they set out to put on the first provincial Princess Competition. The competition focuses on a younger demographic than the Queen of the Furrow competition and she said it was an amazing experience. "It was awesome," she said. `All the girls did a fabulous job and we felt so sorry for the judges. It came right down to the wire." Terpstra said it was fantastic to see Brooklyn Hendriks, the Huron County contestant, triumph over the other 14 competitors for the crown, making her the first-ever winner of the competition. The organizers behind the 2018 IPM in Chatham -Kent have already decided to carry on the competition, Terpstra said, and she sees that as a boon for the girls involved, as well as other aspects of the plowing match. "It's going to be a benefit to the Queen competition, I can tell you that," she said. "Looking at the girls, you could see the interest they had in carrying on." She said the quality of the girls that competed in the event can only benefit agriculture. "We have to keep our youth embracing agriculture and being a part of it and this is a great program to do that," she said. She said that, with Canada being so heavily focused on agriculture, it's important to have it at the forefront for young women. She said THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017. PAGE 35. Combined Queen Gala, banquet worked well Memorable moment The first-ever Ontario Princess competition was held at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo this year and the competition saw Brooklyn Hendriks, Huron's competitor, left, bring home the crown. It was an emotional moment for Ruth and George Townsend. who have been part of the driving force behind the Huron Princess competition, when they crowned the local champion. (File photo) Continued from page 34 invitation and him coming and proving the importance of education, it was pretty neat." Bishop agreed, saying that reaching out to future farmers and agri-business owners was something the committee had put an emphasis on. "They are our future because next time this event ends up on our doorstep, I look forward to fulfilling the role of senator," she said. Events and opportunities for the IPM to shine leading up to the event were also successful according to Bishop, who pointed to the barn quilt initiative, the IPM cookbooks, beautification projects, painted doors and benches as aspects that all drew interest. She also said that, through on-site events like the IPM 4-H Club, the Brussels Fall Fair, the straw bale facades and farm -gate displays, Huron County was shown to be a truly agricultural community. Brian went on to say that the stories he heard throughout the match showed how Huron County brought out its best for the match. Committee Secretary Lynne Godkin said the event was a success despite the adverse weather conditions. "Did we hit 100,000 people? No, but, really and truly that was just because of the circumstances," she said. "It was too wet on Wednesday and Friday and Saturday there were health risks due to the heat but we still brought in more than 70,000 people" She said the event was a fabulous success with great entertainment and enthusiastic volunteers. Comments she heard were positive despite the cancellation and vendors and tents ran out of supplies, showing just how successful it was. Jeff McGavin, who started the IPM as plowing co-ordinator but found himself as a jack-of-all-trades once the fields were set, said the event was a huge success. "The plowing, the tented city, it was all a great experience," he said. "Working with different volunteer groups and seeing the experience they all brought to the grounds was great. It was amazing to work with so many people with so many different stories." QUEEN OF THE FURROW Queen of the Furrow committee chair Melissa Veldman, who has some experience with IPMs through becoming Ontario's Queen of the Furrow less than a decade ago, said she was very impressed by the match. "Everything went very well," she said. "Everyone was happy." While the rain had an impact on most aspects of the event, she said the Queen competition's schedule remained unmarred by the wild weather. "The rain didn't hold the Queen program back at all really," she said. "They were supposed to plow on gr - OCTOBER 26T", 27T" & 28T", 2017 SAVE 20' ON CASUALS AND SAVE THE TAX ON WORKWEAR ei,„,,SAXX UNDERWEAR - BUY 1 AT REGULAR PRICE SAVE 50' ON SAME OR LOWER PRICED SAXX SAVE 25' ON SILVER JEANS Thursday, October 26'", 9 am - 6 pm �. orkshop Friday, October 27'^, 9 am - 8 pm Saturday, October 28`h, 9 am - 5 pm casual wear • work wear 180 Josephine, Wingham, ON • 519-357-4503 Wednesday, and they were able to do that" Veldman said all 25 Queen contestants were happy and great to work with. "It's super inspiring to see where the agricultural industry is going with young women like these who are passionate about it," she said. "We're very happy to know we're going in the right direction." While Caleigh Van Kampen of Peel-Dufferin took the top spot in the competition, Veldman said the title could have gone to anyone on the stage. This year's IPM marked the first time the Queen Gala and the Plowmen's Dinner was held together and Veldman said the marriage of the two was a great idea. "It made for a longer night, but I'm very happy with how it went," Rock Of Ages I I Blyth Memorial Hall Sunday, October 29 at 2 p.m. Featuring: Marie Bottrell as Dolly Parton & Patsy Cline; Jim Yorfido as Johnny Cash; Pam Yorfido as Tammy Wynette & Loretta Lynn & June Carter; John Heaman as Little Jimmy Dickens Box Office: 1-877-862-5984 WWW.BLYTHFESTIVAL.COM that's why having 15 different competitors was so great. "It's only going to keep getting stronger," she said. "It was a packed day, by the time the competition was done, but the girls got to meet each other, know each other and start friendships that will continue on and show people what good the competition can do." Terpstra's biggest takeaway from the entire IPM was that the future of agricultural Ontario is in good hands with the girls in the competition. "To see these girls interested in promoting agriculture, embracing Continued on page 36 Ken Lee 80th Birthday October 28 Blyth Legion 2-4 p.m. carne c qa Best Wishes Only 14 Wedding Announcement 1)4 Rosemarie Loughlin of Oshawa and Lynne and Stephen Mann of Lucknow are thrilled to announce the marriage of Shawn Michael Loughlin and Jessica Lynne Mann on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The wedding and reception took place at *L1 The couple now proudly calls Blyth home. Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company in Blyth.