The Huron Expositor, 1978-09-14, Page 55people take from the match
there's always the
chance some industry 'might
consider settling r in the
county as a result of the
match, which means more
jobs for local residents .and
more tax revenue for county
coffers.
Jim Armstrong's words;
'they say a plowing match
means eight years of pr'o-
motion for a county - four
years before the .match and
four years after.
It also engenders a re-
markable amount of en-
thusiasm in the county itself
and there's already ample
evidence of this in Huron
from, the distinctive signs
advertising the match posted
around the county, to articles •
in both local newspapers and
national magazin'es,
as the preparations by county,
clubs and organizations who
are planning either exhibits
or money-raising ventures at
the match, •
Anyone in Huron County
who doesn't know about the
(Continued on page
See us at'the
Pt°47it
HURON'78 tn
THE PLOWING MATCH SUPPLEMENT - 3'
e joys of hosting the IPM
'Carol and Jim Armstrong
BrAlice Gibb • Two years- after they 'set=
In November, Jim and tied in, on their 'farm on
Carol Armstrong will 'un- Hwy. 86, just outside Wing-
doubtedly notice a great ham, Jim Armstfong joined
change in their lines"
silence.
The Armstrongs, the
Winghain area couple who
offered their farm as the-host
farm for the 1978 Inter- .
national Plowing Match,
,haven't had a great deal of
peace and, quiet for the last
eight months. . CL
The telephone rings • con-
stantly, visitors parade in
and out of the house, and
reporters are always drop-
ping by for more information
on the match. Also, a crew of
hydro men have set up
temporary residence on part
of the Armstrong Farm.
But all this commotion is
just a normal part of besting
the, annual plowing match,
and even though the Arm-
strongs may sometimes look
a little, haniTd7they'N-nisist
the Huron County' Plow-
men's Association, an or-
ganization• that's open to
rural , and urban residents
alike.
Huron County hadn't
hosted the International
Plowing Match since 1966,
when plowmen front Canada
and the United States com-
peted on the Jim Scott farm
in Seaforth.
Unfortunately, the 'match
was plagued by heavy rains
they -wouldn't have missed
the experience.
Both, Amrstongs
emphasize being the host
farm is "delightful", as well
as allowing, them to make
many friends they might
never have come in contact,
with if it 'hadn't been for the
plowing match.
The, Armstrong also give
some special credit, to Bill,
their 21 year 'old son and
their four daughters who have
pitched in and taken over
many of the behind the
scenes chores formerly
handled by their parents
before preparations for the
match .became almost 'a
fulltime job.
-- The Armstrongs moved--to
Huron County 10 years ago
when their "almost century
farm" outside Bramalea Was
' sold.
and the turnout was far less
than had been expected.
Jim Armstrong said Huron
County' wanted another
chance to prove themselves.
and so when the association
starting tossing around the
idea of hringing the match to
the county again the Arm-
strongs offered their farm as
an incentive., •
,Approved
The Huron County Plow7
men's ,Associaten. with the
,backing of county council,
made four separate pre-
sentations • to the Ontario
Plowmen's Association,' be-
fore the provincial . body ,
approved their application in
1974 to host the 1978 games.
When a eounty_takes on
the responsibility of hosting,
a match, it takes hundreds of
hours of planning by
volunteers willing to spend
many of their evenings in.
committee.41teetugs. It also
takes co-operation. from other
county residents who'sprtese
up their farm buildings, and
it takes a national advertising
campaign to alert :potential
visitors to the match.
All in all, hosting a
plowing match means,a good
many headathes. •
But, there are also bene-•
fits. This year's match, ex,
ported to be the largest ever,
will bring more, than 250;000
people to the site. ,
Also, this year a seventh
avenue has been ,added to
the tent city -Which means
more exhibiters. than • ever
want booths at the match.
If nothing else; Jim Arm-
„ostorng believes this is an,
indication that the poor
•weather at Frontenae
County's 1977 match didn't
scare anyone off.
- Also, ,-'the facelifting
around the, county, will last
longafter the plowling match
itself is just •a memory,.
But even more important,'
organizing the match, with
23 committees working out
'arrangments for everything
from where farmers Will land
who come. by, plane to • antique and historic displayS,
can't' help but bring . the
people in a county together,
since they're, all working for
a commoti
Industry
As well As the enjoyment
Go "cloo it right the first time
SKI- ®79
-CITATION s300
Sporty, economical abut
fast twin cylinder
40n-cooled 293.5 3
Rotax
September 26 - 30, AM
, HURON COUN'TY
Special prices on
'..all models during
the plowing match
September 26 • 30, 1978
HURON COUNTY
Win a mobile workshop
Buildall is giving away four Handyvans. Four lucky people are
going to win a 1979 G.M,C.,Vandura Van full of quality Skil
tools. It's a fantastic workshop on wheels. Visit Bulldall today
and enter our Ilandyvan Contest. It's easy. Just fill in an
entry form. No purchase necessary. Enter your name today.
Enter often. You could be a lucky winner of a %tidal!
Handyvan.
Come and see us
at-the Location - 6th St.'
2 Lots East of Qatar..