On Sept. 20, the International Plowing Match (IPM) will open its gates and welcome visitors.
It’s been 16 years since the IPM was hosted by Wellington County on the Webfoot Farm near Elora in 2000. Before that Wellington County hosted the match near Teviotdale in 1984, near Guelph in 1968 and, for the first time, on the edge of Fergus in 1937 (as documented in Thorning Revisited this week on page 12).
Wellington is no stranger to knowing what it takes to have a successful match.
The IPM has been a tourism destination for rural enthusiasts for decades. The event, founded to recognize the art and skill of plowing, dates back a little more than a century. Over time it has grown to be a significant cultural event and arguably bears some responsibility for generations of farm families getting away and seeing Ontario.
Although agriculture remains a vital facet of Ontario’s economy, most residents are far enough removed from farm life that such an exhibition helps re-establish the connection between rural and urban residents.
In many ways the IPM honours the past, celebrates the present and invites people to consider the future.
Many students will make the trek with school mates and we hope parents can spare a day to see what Wellington has to offer.
It sounds like the county tent, a favourite for most residents, will live up to its previous quality and offer a great experience for residents. Much effort has been made to put on a show people will remember.
We hope you enjoy the show, get to meet with old friends, make some new acquaintances and learn more about Wellington County.
We have much to celebrate here.
