STIRLING - Organizers are anticipating perfect furrows and a world record at the 20th Anniversary Hastings County Plowing Match and Farm Show here Aug. 20 and 21.
The two-day show includes 250 exhibitors, plowing competitions, antique display, woodlot display and a run at putting the town of Stirling and the Eastern Ontario farming community in the Guinness World Records.
Late in the afternoon of Wed., Aug. 20 tractors of every size and colour will attempt the world’s largest tractor parade through the streets of Stirling. The event is being arranged by the town of Stirling as part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations. According to Farm Show organizer and past-president Harry Danford, the parade needs 240 tractors to break the world record and they anticipate having upwards of 400. "Based on registration it appears we should break the record," he said.
The Hastings County 4-H Plowing Club will apply what they have learned and hold their 4-H Club Achievement Day on Wednesday at the Farm Show. Nineteen youth between the ages of 10 and 21 will compete, said Danford, with some also competing in the open competition.
Following a time-honored tradition, plowmen and women will be challenged to achieve the perfect furrow following the Ontario Plowmen’s Association International rules for tractor, antique tractor and horse plowing. Plowmen will be judged in five areas including the opening split, crown and finish. Covering green matter is mandatory in grain, stubble and sod. Antique tractor competitors will be using plows consistent with the era and walking plows and sulky plows are to be used in the horse plowing classes. Plowmen wishing to compete at the International Plowing Match in September must compete and qualify at the county level. Cash prizes for all classes are $75, $65, $50, $40, $30 and $20. Best combined points for two days in each class is declared champion and awarded an extra $50.
Events not to miss on Wednesday morning include woodlot management demonstrations, plowing competitions, media plowing competition and the antique tractor parade.
Following the opening ceremonies at noon there will be entertainment at the main stage. Afternoon events include the Queen of the Furrow Plowing, machinery demonstrations, the VIP Plowing Competition, and the Oldest Plowperson Competition.
Which VIPs and media personalities will be aiming for a perfect furrow won’t be known until match day but Danford said the open invitation usually brings out a good handful of media people. The same applies to the VIP competition with MPPs, MPs and local municipal politicians getting behind the plow.
On Thursday morning it’s more woodlot management demonstrations, plowing competitions and the Antique Tractor Parade. Queen of the Furrow Speeches begin at noon followed again by entertainment at the main stage. Machinery demonstrations are scheduled for the afternoon.
The show site is northwest of the village of Stirling at Lysle View Farms on the corner of Hoard’s Road and Lake Road. It is the same parcel of land used for the 1986 International Plowing Match, then the Dracup and Richardson farms.
The 450-acre dairy farm is home to Ross and Elaine Carlisle and their son Jeffery.