KEMPTVILLE, ON - The Municipality of North Grenville is set to host the massive 2022 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) September 20 – 24, promising upwards of 50,000 to 80,000 visitors over five days. This will be the first in-person IPM since 2019 due to the pandemic.
Since its inception over 100 years ago, the IPM has grown to become the largest outdoor agricultural and rural expo in all North America. It draws people from across eastern Canada and the United States.“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting North America’s largest agricultural fair and rural expo
here in Kemptville,” said Nancy Peckford, Mayor of North Grenville. “This is the largest event that this area has seen in our 230-year-plus history. It isn’t every day we attract 80,000 people to our municipality which will showcase our wonderful community, including our deep agricultural roots,” emphasized Mayor Peckford.No longer geared to just farm enthusiasts, the IPM offers activities and exhibits for people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Key entertainers include:
- the Canadian Armed Forces Skyhawks Parachute Team,
- the Dodge Ram Rodeo and the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill Team, and
- nationally celebrated musicians daily on the mainstage
- all located in the IPM’s exhibition grounds on Kemptville Campus.
The IPM exhibition tents are located on 65 acres of former Kemptville College land which now belongs to the Municipality. For over 100 years, Kemptville College delivered leading-edge agricultural education and training in this very location. Hundreds of Kemptville College Alumni will be in attendance, in additional to thousands of farming families throughout the region Most of the competition plowing will be hosted by Rideauside Farms owned by Charles and
Rosemary Bennett, the host family for the match.
“The IPM is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate the vital role farmers and agriculture plays in our daily lives,” said Mayor Peckford. “Agricultural practices are changing all the time, and it’s crucial that we show future generations where our food comes from and the sophistication of many farm operations today.” Hundreds of volunteers, largely from North Grenville, have stepped up to oversee many of the events – including entertainment, the 100-acre serviced RV Park and over 65 acres of exhibition grounds, a regional quilting competition, and community beautification.
Many are currently on site building the massive “Tented City,” where visitors will enjoy over 200 exhibitors featuring agricultural products and services, rural expos, artists and artisans, and family activities. MORE “We want to express our gratitude to the over 900 volunteers who are devoting their valuable
time and energy to this historic event in our community,” highlighted Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan, and Co-Chair of the IPM’s Volunteer Committee.
The exhibition area is jam packed with so much to see and do! The Municipality of North Grenville and United Counties of Leeds and Grenville will be on site with exciting community showcases featuring games for kids, firefighter displays, local food vendors, artist installations, and much more.
There will also be rest and phone charging areas, picnic tables, and water bottle filling re-station at the North Grenville showcase. While many of the lowing competitions are happening off-site on a local farm, the exhibition and entertainment is located on the historic grounds of the Kemptville Campus, which is now owned by the Municipality of North Grenville.
Source : Explore North Grenville