The Rural Voice, 1998-09, Page 46Kingston's IPM brings urban
and rural life together. If
everything goes according to
plan, more than 125,000 people will
pass through the grounds of this
year's International Plowing Match
and Farm Machinery Show in
Sunbury, 10 km north of Kingston.
Included in that crowd will be
delegates from Huron County's IPM
committee. They will be there to
learn everything they can in
preparation for the IPM they will
host next year.
The theme of this year's match is
"Quality Living/ A Partnership". The
hope is to bring urban and rural
dwellers closer together during the
five day exhibition.
Celebrating its 85th year, the
match is still considered one of the
premier agricultural showcases in
North America.
The exhibition runs this year from
September 15-19. Visitors can watch
championship matches featuring
plowmen from all ages from seven to
70. The match also includes the
Canadian Plowing Championship
with expert plowmen from six
provinces. A top junior and senior
plowman will be selected to compete
in the World Match in 1999. This
year the plowmen will be competing
for more than $35,000 in prize
money.
Aside from plowing there will be
a lot of other activities on the close to
1,500 acres where the IPM will be
held.
With over 600 exhibits, local
musical talent, an extensive antique
show, quilting and craft work, team
penning and horse-shoe pitching, this
year's IPM committee says there will
be something at the match for
everyone.
Since 1913, plowmen from across
Ontario have been gathering once a
year to show off their skill.
All those years the Ontario
Plowman's Association in co-
operation with county plowmen has
helped enthusiasts meet to compete
at the International Plowing Match
and Farm Machinery Show.
Counties across Ontario are proud
to host the annual event. Next year
Huron County will welcome the
International Plowing Match and
Farm Machinery Show for the fourth
time. From September 21-25, tens of
42 THE RURAL VOICE
With only a year to go before the county hosts the
International Plowing Match,
organizers are gearing up so
Huron will shine in '99
Story by Allison Lawlor
Before the gates of the International Plowing Match open, years of planning
have taken place (above). There's more than plowing at the IPM (below).
thousands of people will take pan in
special events, concerts, parades,
modem and antique farm machinery
exhibits, and the Queen of the
Furrow competition while at the
same time discovering the beauty of
Huron County.
The site chosen for the 1999
match is on the Becker farm and 20
surrounding farms, located a mile
north of Dashwood in Hay
Township.