IPM soon to welcome thousands

The 2015 International Plowing Match organized Media Day on September 9.

Led by the Public Relations Committee in partnership with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, and with the support of many volunteers, the Media Day was an opportunity for the media to tour the grounds ahead of the official International Plowing Match (IPM) opening, almost a week away.

The event is one of the largest outdoor shows in the country. It is estimated that more than 100,000 visitors will attend the event. The match features hundreds of farmers, all competing to be champions in dif- ferent categories.

“This would never happen without the volunteers and the sponsors,” IPM Chair Jim Brownell said, of the many hours of work and planning over several years to host the largest outdoor show of its kind in North America, “It is up to you, the media, to help get the word out to the community”.

Following the event, Brownell, who still has vivid memories of attending the 1958 match as a small boy said, “In this, our third IPM, look how far we’ve come.”

“Today I’m proud to be from SDG,” said Eric Duncan, warden of Stormont Dundas Glengarry and mayor of North Dundas. “I’m not overstating. This is the largest and most important event in the history of the counties.” A similar plowing match was held in Alfred September 12, on a much smaller scale. The IPM will be held from September 22 to 26 at 14939 Concession 3-4 Rd, Finch,