Source: The Standard
The teardown and cleanup has begun at West Niagara Agricultural Centre and Fairgrounds following the 106th International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM).
Local plowing match committee chair Renate McGillivray said the five-day agriculture-themed event that wrapped up in West Lincoln on Saturday was a success.
“The wagons just kept on coming, bringing people in,” McGillvray said. “The grandstands were all full with all the attractions.”
McGillvray said early estimates indicate nearly 70,000 people attended the event, including Premier Doug Ford, NDP Leader Marit Stiles and other party leaders who tried their hand at plowing.
“It was really nice to see that many happy people walking around,” McGillvray said.
Crews are now working to remove the temporary infrastructure that was added to the fairgrounds for the IPM, including electrical outlets and water lines.
The garden in front of West Lincoln Community Centre won first prize in the municipal category in the IPM’s beautification competition.
“This award is a testament to the creativity and dedication of our staff, whose hard work transformed a simple grassy area into a welcoming garden that residents and visitors alike can enjoy,” said Mayor Cheryl Ganann.
West Lincoln’s tent was also a popular place during the event.
Gannon said 3,000 T-shirts featuring a chicken driving a tractor, emblematic of the large chicken farming community in the township, were given away.
With offerings at the tent and line dancing it was running at the community centre during the IPM, Ganann said the township raised more than $4,000 and collected three bins of food for West Lincoln Community Care.
Ganann said the event was an opportunity to show visitors what West Lincoln has to offer.
“I think we showcased our farmers, I think we showcased the importance of agriculture in the community and in Ontario,” Ganann said.
Paul Di Ianni, economic development and communications director for Town of Lincoln, said previously the IPM would generate about $25 million of economic activity in west Niagara.
The 2026 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo is Sept. 22-26 in Walkerton, in Bruce County.