Tuesday, June 29, 2021

International Plowing Match cancelled

Lacking provincial government guidance on allowable gatherings, the International Plowing Match has been cancelled for the second year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board of directors said it was a “gut-wrenching decision” but they needed to sign contracts now if the match was to proceed.


 “Over the past weeks and months, we have been relentless in seeking information from the Ontario Government in regard to the attendance capacity limits and the addition restrictions for large events such as the IPM.  To date, we have been unable to receive any of the necessary information,” the board of directors said in a news release.


 “The IPM plans were certainly in place for this year’s event but we reached the critical deadlines when contracts needed to be completed and the physical building of the RV Park and Tented City needed to begin.  


“Proceeding without the knowledge of the health restrictions, etc. was not feasible nor in the best interests of all the IPM Stakeholders.”


 The board confirmed that the 103rd International Plowing Match will be held in North Grenville (United Counties of Leeds Grenville) at Kemptville, Ontario.  


It is now scheduled for September 20th to 24th, 2022, at the former Kemptville Agricultural College campus and the former Kemptville Agricultural College farm.