DUFFERIN COUNTY, Ontario - What better way to wrap up a once-in-a-generation event than with a celebratory evening—and that is exactly what will happen when the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) winds down next week in Dufferin County.
The Celebration of Excellence is an always well-attended, ticketed evening event where the top-plowmen are announced, an exciting finale after a week of competition.
“There is so much for visitors to see and do at an IPM, but for the competitive plowmen this is serious business,” says Floyd Wills, president of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA), the parent host of the IPM.
At stake is the chance to compete at the nationals next year in Wolfe Island, Kingston, Ontario. The toppoints plowmen from each the senior plowing championship with conventional plows, the senior plowing championship with reversible plows and the junior plowing championship with conventional plows will advance to the 2024 Canadian Plowing Championships.
For Maranda Klaver, the current Ontario Queen of the Furrow, the night is going to be bittersweet as she passes on the crown to her successor, who will be chosen that evening from amongst the 13 competitors in this year’s competition.
“It brings to an end what has been a fabulous year representing the OPA and working with the IPM 2023 Local Committee. I’m definitely going to miss the people—but I know whomever is crowned the next Ontario Queen of the Furrow is going to enjoy her year every bit as much as I did.”
The Celebration of Excellence will be held Friday, September 22 at the Orangeville Fairgrounds, 247090 Side Road 5, Mono. Doors open at 5 pm and the program begins at 6 pm.
The meal is by Grace Frey Catering of Elora and tickets are $70 per person. A limited number of tickets will be available onsite during the week of the IPM, but anyone interested in attending this evening finale are encouraged to order their tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment: https://ipm2023celebration.rsvpify.com.
Source : International Plowing Match and Rural Expo