The Rural Voice, 1999-11, Page 25walking the miles of exhibits
easier on feet, did not promote
rutting from vehicles and would
have provided good drainage if
rain had been a problem.
Fortunately, that was never a
concern.
IPM chair Graeme Craig
cites the exceptional weather as
just one of the factors which
made the 1999 edition a near -
perfect undertaking.
From the efficient transport
of visitors from the parking lots
to tented city, high-quality
entertainment and well -attended
displays, Craig says there is
nothing he would do different-
ly.
People got in quickly, keep-
ing them happy and the good
attendance pleased exhibitors
and food caterers, he says.
Huron County also saw a spin-
off effect.
The one eventuality which could
have literally dampened the match
was rain, but the committee was even
prepared for that, says Craig.
Alternate parking lots were avail-
able so that usage could be switched
daily to allow the ground to recover.
Craig attributes much of the suc-
cess to the Tong -term planning by the
dozens of committees and more than
1,000 volunteers who contributed
considerable time to the endeavor.
The execution of plans began in early
summer with minor modifications
and fine-tuning along the way. When
it came to deadlines, the volunteers
all rose to a higher level, he says.
"Unity played a big part. There
was no turf protection. There were no
personal conflicts. They worked as a
team and that made them stronger.
Now they really are friends."
High expectations by the commit-
tees emerged as top-quality results,
says Craig. "We were surrounded by
people who wanted to make the event
special."
"We did not (plan) to make the
most money or be the biggest. We
went for quality first and we met that
goal. It was very important to us. We
did ourselves and Huron County
proud. I am glad I was a part of it."
Though stating he would not rush
to help with another match, he says it
was one of those once-in-a-lifetime
things and he was happy he did not
miss the opportunity. "It was defi-
A mosaic made of commodities
was a favourite attraction
(above) while visitors got a
chance to see wildlife up close
at the MNR display.
blend things together."
Part of this concept derived
from an idea brought back
from Australia by Glen and
Vanda McNeil of the
Goderich area.
On a trip to the Royal
Sidney Show three years ago.
' the McNeils saw a competi-
tion held between producers in
different districts.
It was from that experience
that the mosaic came to the
Huron County IPM. Vanda
McNeil, chair of the crop and
produce committee. says one
organizer of the Sidney show
was very helpful in providing
her with information on the
creation of a commodity
mosaic.
From that basis, the
McNeils went to floral design-
er, quilt maker and former
home economist Loralee Marshall of
Kirkton, for the design of the display.
The development of the fruit, veg-
etable and grain mosaic was a way of
bringing producers of agricultural
goods together into one display to
show off what they cultivate rather
than compete to sell their goods from
booths.
Using the 1999 IPM logo as the
centre piece, Marshall used her expe-
rience with design and colour to map
out the rest of the creation, says
McNeil.
Two local woodworkers then put
considerable effort into constructing
Marshall's design, even leaving sec-
tions of the wood in a swimming
pool overnight to induce tlexibility
for curved features.
After consultation with several
seed companies to determine just
what grains are grown in Huron
County and produce from numerous
local fruit and vegetable growers,
more than 20 volunteers helped to
• put the mosaic together over a three-
day period.
"One of the toughest parts of
putting it together." says McNeil,
"was finding produce of uniform size
to fit the sections properly."
However, with so many willing
hands stopping by the display on the
days before the opening, the mosaic
became a real Huron County effort.
she says.
"Being the only two people who
had seen such a mosaic. it was a real
nitely worth it."
The pleasure in the success of the
match is echoed by Becker. "It was
well -organized. well-planned and
there was a great bunch of volunteers
who knew their jobs, spots and
responsibilities. There was good
team work and it all clicked."
As the host farmer, Becker also
took pride in the comfort which visi-
tors expressed. "Everyone felt at
home. We got to know Canadians
from across the province and the
country. We made friends."
He was also happy to see the way
the entire community pulled together.
both the north and south of Huron
County.
"I was thrilled with what the
county did. The displays drew huge
crowds. Those tents were the last to
come down."
It was in those county tents that
some of the most talked -about
exhibits and activities were housed.
County exhibit vice -chair Keith
Elston says planning began two years
ago with the idea of creating some-
thing different, something to be
proud of, something to show the
province and the world.
The committee went in with open
minds, attending plowing matches in
other counties while looking for
alternatives.
It was through this process that
the committee decided to intermingle
displays, to use "pods" rather than
booths, says Elston. "We wanted to
NOVEMBER 1999 21