2016 IPM chair Ron Faulkner and vice chair Walter Trachsel want local municipalities and residents to join them for a “Fresh Taste of Farming” at this year’s match in Minto.
The IPM (International Plowing Match and Rural Expo) will run from Sept. 20 to 24 in the Town of Minto.
On May 18, Faulkner and Trachsel were at Puslinch council to provide insight about the event and where things currently stand.
Faulkner added “… and also perhaps to persuade Puslinch council that this is indeed a County of Wellington initiative as opposed to just the Town of Minto.”
Faulkner said there are a few new things for this year’s event in addition to the ‘retiring’ events that had been there for years “and I think have run their course.”
The 2016 event includes the RCMP musical ride “and we’re introducing jousting.”
Faulkner said the Wellington County Plowmen’s Association made a bid to the Ontario Plowman’s Association to host the event.
An IPM not-for-profit-organization is set up, that way every dollar raised, after covering costs, goes back to communities in the county.
“Wellington County is a key and tremendous supporter, not only for ideas to make this a successful match, but in providing seed money to get going,” said Faulkner.
“Truthfully we probably could not operate this without the County of Wellington. The Town of Minto is the host municipality, and many of the staff have volunteered to be part of it.”
Faulkner said he believed that is what started some of the misconceptions suggesting the IPM is a town event.
“The thing a lot of people cannot fathom is that the event itself is owned by the OPA, we only own IPM 2016, but the OPA own the name of the International Plowing Match.
“They technically have to support a new organization and volunteers each year.”
Faulkner spoke briefly on the history of the IPM, which dates back to 1913.
He noted the match has been held every year since, across Ontario, with the exceptions of 1918, and 1942-1945 due to the war. The 2013 match in Perth County marked the centennial of the IPM.
The First Wellington County Match was held in 1937 at Beatty Bros. Farm located in Fergus.
The most recent IPM in Wellington County was near Elora in 2000.
Faulkner said that since its inception, the match has attracted millions of competitors, exhibitors and visitors from right across Canada, the United States, and even Europe.
Each match is organized by a local board of directors, numerous committees, and supported by well over 1,000 volunteers.
Faulkner added there are 57 committees involved in putting on the match. Every match generates a Legacy fund to benefit the host county.
Faulkner said, “I’ve been at a lot of IPMs and I think it was not until five years ago, that I made it to the plowing.
“I am totally impressed with what those folks go through to plow competitively.
“If you want to see something truly amazing, go out and watch these horsemen and listen to them. The training and power of these horses is really something to behold.”
Each year’s match involves several types of competitions for plows ranging from modern, to vintage and horse drawn.
Activities for Kids
Many children attend as part of class field trips, as well as coming with their families.
“Kids from all over Wellington County are invited,” Faulkner said, noting he believes schools from every Wellington County municipalities are participating.
“We expect 17,000 kids at the match.”
Informative and historical displays are part of the education tent.
Trachsel said a section of the venue is set aside for lifestyles and skills such as cooking and crafts.
“That complex creates a lot of interest for people. There are hundreds of acres of exhibitors, vendors, food stands, and entertainment.”
He estimated 16 bands are booked – most from Wellington County.
By the numbers
Faulkner said the IPM averages 75,000 to 100,000 visitors per year and, “We’re hoping to surpass that.”
Faulkner said the 2016 IPM has struck up a liaison with the University of Guelph.
“We want to show the University of Guelph students what they can expect in the future of agriculture, where it is at,” he said.
He noted the IPM had set up a display at the university’s College Royal event earlier this year.
“Would you believe the majority of people attending did not know where Wellington County was – they knew they were in Guelph – but did not know where Wellington was.”
Faulkner said there is going to be a special day for the university students and there is the potential of 70 bus loads of students attending on that day.
Economic impact
Faulkner noted The Ontario Plowing Association conducts studies on a regular basis.
“These studies have shown as high as $20 million in local economic impact through tourism and event operations.”
He said Pike Lake is already booked solid for the week before and week of the event.
Faulkner said 84% of past host community residents agreed that the IPM has increased the quality of life in their communities.
He explained there will be signs to the IPM as far south as Highway 401 and north to the site.
In a domino effect, owners of properties sponsoring the event and along the travel route tended to spruce up their properties for visitors.
“It’s up to us to sell that idea as well,” he added.
Faulkner encouraged local businesses to be represented at the match, adding, “Where else are you going to get an audience of 20,000 people per day?”
Where does the event stand right now?
Faulkner and Trachsel said the IPM has sold half of the 1,200 RV park spots, sold over 4,500 cook books and reached $50,000 in souvenir sales. The quilt show has 135 entrants already and the kick-off concert in Drayton was successful.
Construction of the tented city starts in July and in the meantime tickets can be purchased online. There are still sponsorship opportunities available.
