By Sandy Casselman
AgriNews Staff Witer
KEMPTVILLE – The 2022 Eastern Ontario International Plowing Match (IPM) and Rural Expo team has launched its Official Poster Contest with a prize of $1,200 attached for the winning entry.
Organizers of the 2022 IPM are hard at work pulling together what is to be a massive in-person event for the Eastern Ontario farming community, not to mention the City of Kemptville and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. This five-day celebration of all things agriculture is set to run from Sept. 20 to Sept. 24. From now until it’s over, there will be regular announcements of pre-event activities, such as the poster contest, and calls for participation, such as daytime entertainers.
Last month, the 2022 IPM Quilt Competition was announced. This month, it’s the poster competition, and the theme for the 2022 IPM Official Poster Contest is “a community showcase of agriculture and rural living yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” All entry forms must be submitted prior to midnight on Feb. 8, and the entry fee and artwork must both be submitted by 3 p.m. on Feb. 15.
The poster contest entry fee is a non-refundable $25 per form with only one entry permitted per form. The winning entry will take home $1,200, while the “fan favourite” will receive $300. All other submissions will be included in a silent auction during the five-day event and the artist will receive 50 per cent of the funds raised from their submission, while the remaining 50 per cent will benefit the IPM.
Artwork will be accepted at the following three locations: Dixie and Egan Ltd. Division of Harvex Agromart (8050 County Road 29, Addison), O’Farrell Financial Services Inc. (40 Brock Street, Brockville), and RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Ltd. (3000 Country Road 43, Unit 2, Kemptville). Entry forms, in addition to more information about criteria and judging, are available on the event website (plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/get-involved/poster-competition), and for more information, contact Mary Tessier by email (info@justaskmary.ca) or phone (613-447-1533).
Expressions of Interest for IPM 2022 Entertainment are also being accepted. Currently, the team is looking for daytime entertainers from local and regional areas, anyone from singers and musicians to dancers, comedians, children’s entertainment and more. The IPM’s Tented City features music and live performances throughout the day. For more information, visit the website (plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/get-involved/provide-entertainment), download and complete the Expression of Interest form and submit via email (IPM2022Entertainment@gmail.com) before March 1.
“Join our team! Volunteering with IPM 2022 is a great way to use your skills, get involved and connect with the community, gain valuable experience and meet new people!” – 2022 IPM “You Can Help” campaign.
While the event is currently being organized by a large group of volunteers, more are needed to make this event a success. The IPM is expected to see roughly 80,000 visitors. For an event of this magnitude, roughly 800 to 1,000 volunteers are needed. Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the event. The “You Can Help” campaign states that volunteers are involved with all aspects of the IPM, from horse and tractor plowing, to Tented City, antiques, entertainment, marketing, souvenirs, education, lifestyles and quilting, RV Park, wagon tours, landscaping, beautification, parking and traffic, gates, health and safety, parade, information booths, and more. For more information, send an email (IPM2022volunteer@plowingmatch.org).
If you don’t have the time to volunteer, consider showing your support by becoming a sponsor, buying some of the themed merchandise, and/or, of course, attending the event itself. Information on sponsorship can be found on the event website. As for merchandise, there’s information on the website, including photos and descriptions, about how to purchase.
Be sure not to miss any 2022 IPM announcement, follow the event on social media (facebook.com/IPM2022) and check the website (plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/) regularly for up-to-date news, like the registration opening for the RV Park, which is coming soon. More information is also available via emailing the organizers (IPM2022Info@plowingmatch.org).
