In a public ceremony Thursday, a new sign was unveiled at 7540 Pain Court Line in Pain Court to mark the spot where a tented city will arise in September 2018.
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit during the five days of the Chatham-Kent International Plowing Match and Rural Expo 2018.
The event’s executive committee, comprised of more than 20 members, is working in conjunction with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association and more than 60 community working committees. The chair of the site committee, Jean Marie Laprise, is among the eight landowners providing use of the site.
“We will do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of this event in Pain Court, which will help to showcase many positive aspects of Chatham-Kent, Laprise said.
Joining Jean and Lucille Laprise as host landowners are Scott and Terry Pritchard, Clayton and Mary Ellen Crow, Dave Sterling, John and Juli Faubert, Lucien Laprise, the Gebal family, and Gerard Faubert.
The executive committee is grateful for the support demonstrated by the good people and farmers of Chatham-Kent, and the Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
The executive committee also joins with Ontario Plowmen’s Association to express gratitude to key sponsors, namely The Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, Hydro One, and BMO Bank of Montreal.
The executive committee also recognizes the contribution of a growing number of local sponsors.
Jean Marie and Lucielle Laprise with the Laprise family say they are proud to part of the preparations for the event.
“I have met very interesting, knowledgeable and community minded people,” says Jean Marie, “and they are likely to be long term friends.” He adds, “The individuals that initiated this enormous project deserve much credit for doing so.”
The executive committee is pleased to report that sales of a fundraising cookbook and other souvenirs are brisk.
For more information, visit www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2018.
– Submitted photo
