All is clear for Saturday − the final big day of the 2018 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Pain Court, Chatham-Kent.
The weather forecast says Saturday will be cooler and dry, and IPM 2018 will be ready to receive many thousands of visitors on what is traditionally the biggest day of the Match.
Saturday is BMO Kid’s Day and children under 16 years old, accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. There is also a free Pancake Breakfast, free shows at the BMO Tent, and free children’s activities.
“We’re expecting great weather for visitors on Saturday and a really great, well-attended, final day with many attractions,” says IPM 2018 Co-chair Darrin Canniff, “and so come on over to IPM 2018.”
“We had a very wet Thursday afternoon, but our site crews worked well into the night to clear the mud – winds and sunshine did the rest and Friday turned out just fine,” added IPM 2018 Co-chair Leon Leclair.
Friday’s schedule saw the Queen of the Furrow contestants make their speeches on the Pride Seeds Main Stage, horse and tractor plowing continued on, and The Canadian Cowgirls and the Team Farmall dancing tractors put on shows. RAM Rodeo Tour featured bull-riding among its western attractions. In the Hydro One Education Centre, both children and adults learned how science is expanding the practice of agriculture in new and sometimes surprising ways.
An Auctioneers’ Challenge in the World Records Tent saw contestants go head-to-head to prove who has the most rapid-fire verbal skills. This year’s winner is Jonathan Wilson of Dorchester, Ontario, who received a $1,000 prize.
Coming up on Saturday:
• BMO Kids Day at the IPM. Children age 16 and younger are admitted for free before 10:30 a.m. (must be accompanied by an adult). Free pancake breakfast for children and one adult per child will be served from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (or while supplies last) at the BMO Tent. There will also be free shows and activities.
• Eleven families will be presented with the BMO Ontario Farm Family Award during a ceremony on the Pride Seeds Main Stage, starting at 11 a.m. Visit www.plowingmatch.org/about-us/bmo-farm-family-awards/2018-bmo-farm-family-awards for more information.
• Join in as we establish an IPM record for Most People Eating Corn on The Cob at One Time, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the World Records Tent.
• A fire truck parade, courtesy of Chatham-Kent Fire Fest organizers, will arrive at the IPM at about 11 a.m. Vehicles will remain on display until about 3 p.m.
• Junior plowing competitors get down to business starting at 8:30 a.m. Awards will be presented on the Ontario Mutuals Stage at 3 p.m.
• Princess of the Furrow contestants will deliver their speech in front of the Ontario Mutuals Stage crowd beginning at 10 a.m. (runs until about 12:30 p.m.)
• RAM Rodeo Tour (noon & 2:30 p.m.), Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill Team (10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.), antique equipment demonstrations and much more
• Closing Ceremony on the Pride Seeds Main Stage beginning at 4:30 p.m.
To download the full schedule, visit https://www.plowingmatch.org/news-2018/ipm-2018-show-guide
Saturday will be the last day of IPM 2018, with the gates closing at 5:00 p.m. For more information and the IPM 2018 Show Guide, visit www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2018.
