Organizers say IPM was a ‘great show’ despite low attendance

Despite some wet weather that impacted attendance, organizers of the 2011 International Plowing Match (IPM) are calling the event a success.

The Review spoke to chairperson and Champlain Mayor Gary Barton, who was busy helping tear down the site on Tuesday, September 27, and he had nothing but praise for the event - which will likely be the biggest the region has ever seen.

"It was a hell of a show," Barton remarked. "Things went well and everything really came together. The only thing we're a bit disappointed about is the attendance because it didn't quite meet our expectations, but everything else was just great."

He said rain Monday, September 19 and during the early morning hours on Tuesday, September 20 - just before the gates officially opened - put a damper on the site and on those willing to trek through the mud to enjoy the show.

He noted organizers were expecting to receive 100,000 visitors, but a total of 70,135 took in the show.

"I can't say that the rain didn't affect things because it did," Barton commented. "Some people stayed away from the event because of that and there's no doubt it made the site a little messy. There were also a lot of people who just put on rubber boots and rain coats and toughed it out."

Barton said shows like the West Coast Lumberjack Show and the Dancing Tractors attracted large crowds for each performance and he heard numerous positive comments as he made his way around the event.

"We had a great week overall," he stated. "I think people who came really enjoyed themselves."

With more than 1,200 volunteers, Barton said he was inspired by the way the event brought communities together.

"We had so many people working like dogs behind the scenes and none of this would have been possible without them," he said. "Any time we needed something people stepped up to help and do everything they could. It was really amazing and we should all be proud."

The next step, Barton said, will be to tear down the site, which was already in full swing following closing day on Saturday, September 24. He said some 13 kilometres of water pipe need to be ripped up and as of Tuesday, most of the hydro poles, RV park and tents had been torn down.

"It's amazing to think we spent three years waiting for this and now it's all coming down in a matter of days," he commented. "Things are going pretty fast and we should have it all cleaned up in the next few days."

Barton said he will have a meeting with the executive committee this Thursday, September 29 to tie up any loose ends and hopefully, find out attendance numbers and how much of a legacy fund will be left over.

Your thoughts on the IPM

The following are comments and posts from people on The Review's Facebook page about the IPM.

WBN: The beautiful Quilt of Belonging was a definite favourite, but I enjoyed many of the musical entertainers and the Red Hat Society's skit written/organized by Audrey Nixon Crawford. The Queen of the Furrow banquet was a highlight!

JM: I liked the antique displays and the Dancing Tractors. I also picked up my yellow Home Hardware bucket... did you get yours?

CG: I the antique machines, the power tools and demos, the animals, the kids tent, the quilt, do I have to pick one? How about the great people and atmosphere of good old country fun!

AA: My favorite part of it all was being a volunteer, the relationship we made and how well it was organized! Getting up at 5 a.m. to help prepare and serve breakfast to 80-some horse plowmen including their family (breakfast was served between 6 and 7 a.m.) was worth every minute! The horseman (and their horses) had to leave VKH fairgrounds by 8 a.m. to be at the site of the IPM ready to plough at 10 a.m. Seeing them leave every morning at 8 a.m. escorted by the police was a moving experience. We would all leave our duties to wave them goodbye and wish them good luck.

CBF: The transportation from parking to the grounds was fantastic!

JB: I would have to vote for the Rodeo, or maybe the Lumberjack show, or wait the Wilson and Gingras horses traveling around the grounds were stunning, and then there was the dancing tractors, and I had fun in the little sprouts tent, saw a great fashion show in the lifestyles area, and the quilt of belonging was breath-taking... Okay, I guess I am undecided, I loved it all!