The Harriston Historical Society is hosting an evening with international plowing competitor Carman Weppler.
He made history last year when he became the first Minto resident to qualify for and compete in the world championships in conventional plowing.
Weppler qualified for the global event by placing first in the Senior Conventional Plow class at the CanPlow2014 competition. In Denmark, he competed in the conventional category, placing sixth plowing on stubble. Weppler also finished 21st in grassland plowing to end up 17th overall. The sixth place finish is the best for Canada since the late 1980s.
With Minto the location of the 2016 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, interest in the competitive aspect of plowing is at a high locally. For the month of February, the historical society will be hosting a display titled Plowing Matches – A Yearly Tradition on the top floor of the Harriston library branch.
An open house and special reception is planned for Feb. 10 at 7:30pm at the library. Weppler will explain the art of plowing, the plowing competition system and his experience qualifying for and attending the world championships in Denmark last fall.
The event is free and light refreshments will be provided.
