Huron County Plowing Match

 

This August, the Huron County Plowmen’s Association will mark a significant milestone as 2024 will be the 100th anniversary of the first-ever Huron County Plowing Match.

 

The match is set to go ahead at Vermue Farms on Bayfield River Road, Bayfield in Central Huron on Thursday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 16, culminating in the gala dinner and awards ceremony that night. It will be the 96th annual match, but mark the 100th anniversary of the first match, as several matches were lost to World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The first day of the match will be all about the youngsters, as it will be Junior Day at the Huron County Plowing Match. The Huron County Sodbusters 4-H Club will host its achievement day on the first day of the match and the Huron County Princess competition will move ahead, first with speeches and a question-and-answer period and then a winner will be crowned to succeed Rachel Wilts from the Blyth area, last year’s winner.

 

The next day, the senior competitive plowers will be in the fields in search of Huron County greatness. Names like Dodds, McGavin and Townsend are sure to show up in pursuit of the title as part of what always delivers as an exciting day to celebrate agriculture on one of Huron County’s most beautiful farms.

 

In the afternoon, while the competitors are in the fields, the year’s Queen of the Furrow contestants will take to the stage for their speeches and question-and-answer session. The crowning of the winner will take place that night during the gala.

 

And, of course, throughout the day there will be food, agricultural exhibits and more for everyone to see.

 

And this year, for the first time, the association will be hosting a junior plow day the Sunday after the match. This is an initiative being taken on by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association local zone in an effort to introduce competitive plowing to more young people. No experience or equipment will be necessary and youngsters can come out to Vermue Farms and learn a thing or two about the rural pastime that has captured the hearts of so many Huron County residents over the years.

 

For more information or to keep up with the group, follow the Huron County Plowmen’s Association on Facebook.