A plowing demonstration at the International Plowing Match 2018 Media Day on September 5, 2018. (Photo by Angelica Haggert)A plowing demonstration at the International Plowing Match 2018 Media Day on September 5, 2018. (Photo by Angelica Haggert)
Chatham

International Plowing Match checking off boxes before opening day

The 2018 International Plowing Match opens on Tuesday and organizers are quickly checking items off the to-do list.

During a recent Chatham-Kent Council meeting, the IPM was approved for alcohol sales. Co-chair Darrin Canniff said these will happen in a “lounge.”

“Every year we have a fully licensed lounge,” said Canniff. “We’re featuring local beer and local wine only.”

There will also be mixed drinks available and the lounge will have samples of everything on offer.

A sponsor was also recently announced for the 50-50 raffle draw. Organized by and supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters in Chatham-Kent, the 50-50 raffle was a sponsorship opportunity for a local business. Maple City Marine stepped up with a $10,000 donation to kick things off.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has been contributing to Chatham-Kent for a long time,” said Maple City Marine vice president Rob Rule. “This was a good way for us to show our support and also showcase what we sell.”

Nan Stuckey with CK Big Brothers Big Sisters said she’s hoping for a six-figure payout for the winner. Tickets can only be purchased on site during the IPM, but you do not have to be present to win.

Public transportation to and from the IPM is also in place now.

After multiple councillors expressed concerns at a recent council meeting, IPM organizers arranged for a shuttle bus to transport people to and from the event.

"There has been interest in a shuttle bus so people can avoid driving to the IPM," organizers said on the IPM Facebook page. "Through a lot of hard work and a generous [anonymous] donor, it has been arranged. We would also encourage carpooling."

The Citilinx shuttle service will run from Tuesday, September 18 to Saturday, September 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The bus will depart from the Walmart parking lot at 881 St. Clair Street in Chatham, and it will be free to IPM patrons.

Upon arriving in Pain Court, the bus will drop patrons off at IPM general parking location where they will hop aboard a wagon to be transported to the gate entrance.

IPM shuttle parking map. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent via Facebook) IPM shuttle parking map. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent via Facebook)

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