From OPA Directors and Staff
The 103rd edition of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) has been postponed until October 2021. The IPM will run from Wednesday, October 13th to Saturday, October 16th and will be held at the Lindsay Fairgrounds and neighbouring Farms in Lindsay, Municipality of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario.
The Leadership of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) made this most difficult decision while closely monitoring local, provincial and federal government information and regulations. In spite of these difficult times, the OPA has never wavered from their responsibility to the people that make the IPM successful year after year. The health and safety of our volunteers, sponsors, competitors, visitors and staff will always be our number one priority.
Since its beginnings in 1913, this is only the third time that the event has not been able to open. Ironically, the first cancellation was in 1918 when the quickly-spreading flu pandemic struck the City of Ottawa. According to history, the Mayor of Ottawa and the Federal Minister of Agriculture denied the use of the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa just the day before the IPM was to open. During the Second World War, the IPM did not open as it was important for all Canadians to dedicate their time and talents to the war efforts.
As our world progresses towards the new reality, we will be ramping up again to bring the 103rd IPM to the Municipality of Kawartha Lakes. Centred at the Lindsay Exhibition Grounds, we also look forward to working with the neighbouring farmers to showcase their resilient and dedicated community.
At the same time, we will be moving forward with plans for the 104th IPM. We are proud to announce that the Municipality of North Grenville and the Grenville Plowmen’s Association will be co-hosting with OPA. Please mark your calendar: Tuesday, September 20th to Saturday, September 24, 2022. We are proud to be highlighting the Kemptville College campus and the neighbouring farms at Kemptville, Ontario.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the 103rd and 104th International Plowing Match and Rural Expo…and beyond. In the meantime, please stay healthy….please stay safe.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
