The Rural Voice, 2004-09, Page 42f
Planning the show
The 2004 IPM will be the culmination of gears of work for
hundreds of Greg Count!' volunteers on 40 committees
By Janice Becker
With the opening of the 2004
IPM, seeds of the
gargantuan task planted
many years ago by hundreds of
volunteers will finally bloom this
September.
When Grey County earned the
right to host the 2004 International
Plowing Match and Rural Expo on
the Davison farm just west of
Meaford, an army of community -
minded citizens stepped forward to
help organize the huge event.
With more than 40 distinct
committees, every aspect to create a
memorable five-day expo has been
considered and contemplated as the
final days before IPM 2004 pass.
And it has been tremendous
teamwork, dedication and
commitment that have pulled the
IPM together, as the chairs of each
committee can attest.
Holding with tradition, what
would an IPM be without tractors of
all sizes, shapes and ages?
The antique division has come up
with some wonderful ways to
remember farming's past. With 200
tractors and 300 pieces of equipment
already registered by early August,
committee chair Ken Furlong expects
the show to be outstanding.
A new feature for the 2004 edition
of the IPM is the antique tractor pull.
For one hour during the afternoons
from Wednesday to Saturday, owners
of the antique tractors will drive their
machines onto the competition field
for a little fun as they challenge each
other to a pull while showing off
their treasures.
With a chuckle, Furlong says
there is already a bit of a rivalry, as
members debate whether "John
Deere is the best tractor".
The antique division will feature
38 THE RURAL VOICE
displays on the evolution of
agriculture and has been tied to the
education sector through working
exhibits and demonstrations for the
children.
"There will be rock crushers,
shingle mills and threshing
machines," says Furlong, just to
mention a few.
The actual displays of tractors and
equipment will be laid out in
horseshoe configurations, in keeping
with the IPM logo and will be
changed daily to show off different
makes.
Antique housewares and smaller
items will be displayed in a large tent
on the site.
"There will be something for
everyone," says Furlong.
A unique aspect coming from this
innovative committee is the
thresherman's lunch each day.
Furlong says the committee
wanted to show city folk what rural
life was really like so they enlisted
the help of a Meaford woman who
will set out a real thresherman's
lunch for the committee each day.
This innovation was supported by
Furlong whose committee of
approximately 18 where given free
rein to come up with ideas.
To hold onto images of those
antique machines, a commemorative
book has been created, with
exhibitors contributing to the
production of the collectors'
photographic issue.
"The glossy, coffee table book has
140 pages of tractors and threshing
machines, " says Furlong.
Marg Krauter, chair of the Rural
Living committee says she oversaw
the group by supporting and advising
them, but allowing them to do the
great work they did.
"We felt very strongly about a
having a continuous program in the
theatre tent," she says. "Between
fashion shows and cooking
demonstrations, there will be music."
The Expressions theme is sure to
shine through the arts and craft
division, as chair Barbara Sackett
speaks with enthusiasm for the
tremendous gathering of Grey
County artisans whose work will be
on display.
Forty artisans, mainly from the
host county, were selected through a
juried show to ensure the highest
quality of artistry, says Sackett.
There is a broad range of products
ranging from pottery to clothing,
jewelry, maple syrup products,
chocolate candies wood turnings,
garden art, stained glass, woven
baskets, hooked rugs and carved
signs.
There will be forge creations and
demonstrations from various
exhibitors, says Sackett.
The demonstrations will take
place throughout the morning, in two
locations, with four different arts on
display. These will include artisans
who do not have a booth at the show,
but were offered the opportunity to