LINDSAY – For the second year in a row, directors of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association have been forced to make the decision to cancel the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM). Having been postponed until October 2021, plans were well underway to hold the IPM at the Lindsay Exhibition Grounds and neighbouring farms.
In spite of the current decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Ontario government has yet to provide large provincial events with the details concerning capacity limits and additional restrictions. While the IPM plans have been progressing, these uncertainties make it impossible to proceed with an in-person event.
“The health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors, sponsors, competitors, volunteers and staff has always been our number one priority,” said Sheila Marshall, president of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association. “While we fully support the health restrictions required to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic, the unknown stipulations for large events has made it impossible to proceed with the traditional in-person IPM”.
However, the directors and staff are currently developing events and options that will bring the IPM experience to volunteers, participants and visitors later in the year. Once government regulations for large gatherings are made available, the Ontario Plowmen’s Association will be making further announcements.
The board has confirmed that the 103rd International Plowing Match will be held in the Municipality of North Grenville (United Counties of Leeds Grenville) at Kemptville, Ontario. Scheduled for Sept. 20 to 24, 2022, the IPM will be centred around the former Kemptville Agricultural College Campus and the former Kemptville Agricultural College Farm.
Plans are progressing well for IPM 2023 which will be held in Dufferin County. The IPM will return to Kawartha Lakes (Lindsay) in 2024.
