“I truly, truly hereby officially declare this a successful match,” stated event chair Ron Faulker as Wellington County’s 2016 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) drew to a close on Sept. 24.
Official attendance figures back up Faulkner’s declaration, with 96,315 people passing through the gates – much higher than the IPM totals in 2014 (about 73,000) and 2015 (about 84,000). Only two other matches in IPM history topped 90,000 in attendance.
Thanking volunteers and sponsors was at the top of the list for many of those taking part in the closing ceremonies on Saturday.
“The last five days have flown by really fast,” said master of ceremonies Shannon South.
The preparation, however, was years in the making, she noted.
“Thirty two years ago, my husband’s family was one of the neighbouring farms that hosted IPM 1984.”
She said people involved in the 1984 match can still point out where the tented city, the plowing fields and parking lots were located – as they drove by the fields and farms near Teviotdale.
“The match was also a timeline marker … a reference for placing events as having occurred before or after the plowing match,” said South. “Having no experience with a plowing match myself, I had to admit I always felt a little jealous … like I missed out that I wasn’t part of this big event.”
When asked to become a chair of an IPM committee, South said her response without hesitation was “absolutely yes.”
It was her chance to have 32 years of stories and memories. “And that is exactly what happened,” South said. Volunteers deserve every bit of thanks, she added
“The IPM is about seeing a community of families, friends and neighbours come together to accomplish what should really be impossible. We created the impossible,” said South.
Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger, leader of the government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, said “all I wanted for you, was to have a week of good weather.”
“I am so proud of the work the volunteers do … it is true that volunteers have the best information and the best stories … on behalf of your government of Canada and on behalf of your prime minister Justin Trudeau, keep up the good work.”
2015-16 Ontario Queen of the Furrow Kathryn Chant congratulated those in the crowd for such a great week.
“I am so glad to have been part of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association over the past year. I’ve had a great year travelling across an awesome province … and meeting so many new people,” said Chant.
“It was an overall great experience … and maybe I learned a thing or two about plowing along the way.”
2016-17 Ontario Queen of the Furrow Anita Rastapkevicius added, “throughout the entire week I’ve seen what it takes to organize an event such as this.”
Prior to coming on stage, Rastapkevicius said she had a chance to talk with host farmer Earl Schneider about how the community came together. “It makes you appreciate what goes on in organizing an event such as this,” she said.
Ontario Plowmen’s Association president Don Priest said, “Well, Wellington. You can give yourself a slap on the back.”
Priest said, “one thing I have learned from the Wellington people is get ‘er done, you mention something is needed … and it gets done.”
As he too thanked the 1,200 volunteers, Priest said the amazing part is there are volunteers from as far as London, Renfrew and across the province.
“I think this is one of the better plowing matches that we’ve had. I’m the happiest man on Earth to see this thing a success,” he said.
Priest noted he looks forward to moving on to work on the Huron County 2017 IPM.
IPM 2016 chair Ron Faulkner said “how do you thank 1,200 volunteers … when everyone has done a special job? … But I’ll try.”
Faulkner added thanks to all the IPM visitors, stating, “I sincerely hope you had a great time.”
Faulkner had a special presentation of a brass plaque to George Bridge, Wellington County warden and Town of Minto mayor.
The plaque commemorates the 2016 IPM hosted by Earl and Ann Schneider at Concession C, Part lots 98, 99 and 100.
As landowners, Earl and Ann Schneider spoke on the stage and family members symbolically shovelled earth to transport to the future IPM site in Huron County.
Ann Schneider quipped, “I had a big speech wrote out, but it’s been covered. There’s been enough speeches so I am not going to repeat it.”
She said there was many a day building up to the event where she would drive up to the farm watching people working and week by week the tented city grew bigger and bigger.
Even on closing afternoon, she remained overwhelmed at what the community was able to accomplish.
“We’re so happy the good Lord brought the good weather. As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the biggest parties we’ve ever had,” said Ann.
She thanked her family for all their hard work.
Earl commented, “we’re just about to pull the pin on this event. It’s been a great time.”
Huron IPM 2017
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb compared the IPM to a “rural Superbowl.”
He said there were 250 people out just to unveil the sign on the road for next year’s IPM. “We’re keen and the host family is awesome.”
As to the Wellington IPM, Lobb said “this was a great match … maybe the best ever … but I’m sorry … next year will be the best.”
Faulkner wished 2017 IPM chair Jacquie Bishop all the best in the coming year.
Bridge said he considered it a pleasure to be involved as warden of Wellington County as he exchanged hats with Huron County Warden Paul Gowing, who said he was pleased to be part of the event.
Gowing congratulated Wellington County, the Minto community, the OPA and the hundreds of volunteers involved.
“It’s a major undertaking and this group pulled it off,” Gowing said. “The IPM and rural expo has evolved into such a great event that allows us to celebrate agriculture in our community and showcase the tremendous rural assets.
“Huron County is the most agriculturally productive county in Ontario.”
Gowing added, “Put that together with the 130km of beautiful Lake Huron shoreline and you begin to understand the great asset of rural lifestyle in Huron – countryside, shoreline and great people.
“We’re so very proud to be hosting the 2017 IPM near Walton. We’ll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the plowing match at the same time the rest of the country will be celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.”
He added “your success in Wellington has only added to our enthusiasm.”
Bishop, the 2017 IPM chair, said she looked forward to building on the success of the 2016 match, which she called an “amazing event.”
She encouraged people to attend next year’s match.
“Please come and spend some time in Huron County. See you next year in Walton.”
