THE HASTINGS COUNTY PLOWING MATCH & FARM SHOW 2017 by BARNEY MOORHOUSE
During August 23 and 24 approximately 15,000 visitors took in the Hastings County Plowing Match & Farm Show. Harry Danford told me that the show, hosted for the second time, almost 20 years ago, by the Sandercock family on their property at 612 Johnstown Road, Quinte West, Ontario, is unique, one of a kind, in the area. He said the show is the biggest one in Eastern Ontario. Only the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, to be held September 19-23 at Walton, Ontario, which is celebrating 104 years during Canada’s 150th anniversary, is larger. Over its 30 year history the Hastings County PM&FS has sometimes been hosted by a family twice but the show has “never been on the same property”, said Danford. The Canadian Armed Forces purchased the original Sandercock homestead to relocate Joint Task Force 2. In all, more than five generations of Sandercocks have been farming in the Quinte area.
Danford, who turned 78 on opening day, a farmer himself (“We farmed at Springbrook”), has been involved for each of the 30 years although not so heavily during 1995 – 99 when he was the Progressive Conservative MPP for Hastings-Peterboro. He has the distinction of being the last representative for that constituency as it was abolished in 1999. For his entire parliamentary sojourn Danford was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The International Plowing Match began in 1913. The Ontario Plowmen’s Association was formed in 1911 and two years later the association launched the inaugural International Plowing Match hosted for its first two years by Sunnybrook farm, Toronto, York County. (Would be interesting to see what is there now.) Fast forward to 1986 when the Sutherland Dracup & Richardson Farms, Stirling, in Hastings County hosted the 5 day match. Some international matches apparently attract as many as 150,000 visitors.
The International Match of 1986 inspired local farmers to organize the Hastings County show which proudly proclaims, “Produced For Farmers, By Farmers.”
One challenge is to find a minimum of 100 acres to accommodate parking, exhibits and competitions. “We like to identify the property two to three years in advance,” said Danford. “It used to be easier to find property when there were more dairy farms.”
One year before the event volunteers begin to prepare the property. “Everyone is a volunteer.” Another significant challenge seems to be an age factor. Most of the volunteers are over 50.
The only benefit to the landowner is the work done preparing the land. There is no financial compensation for lost crops. “They plant fall wheat, harvest it in the early spring and then seed red clover to be ploughed under later. It’s a challenge for cash croppers.”
This major event likes to involve local service clubs. For instance the Batawa Lions and Trenton Memorial Hospital teamed up to look after the free parking. When upwards of 4000 vehicles
Show up there needs to be a plan and then the plan must be well executed. Jeff Carlisle, in charge of parking for this Match, said that the parking executed in 2017 was the best ever. Local companies provided new tractors to haul the hay wagons used to transport people from parking to the show. One parking attendant told me that some of the kids loved the shuttle service tractor ride so much that they refused to get off and so the families rode around for a while before the kids were ready to bail.
Publicity co-ordinator Jim Haggerty said that a ball park figure to run such an event is $100,000 – entirely raised from the $7.00 admission fee and fees for exhibitors.
“Until a few years ago we charged $5.00,” said Danford. “People asked if we were nuts. How can you make money?” Danford said this was not a money making venture. Any after expense funds are donated locally; they also sponsor a $1500 bursary.
Opening day began under bluebird skies, nary a cloud in the sky. As readers may recall the summer of 2017 was rather wet, especially when compared to the drought of 2016. Some F18s executed a fly past – “Quinte West arranged for that,” said Danford explaining that 8 Wing, Canada’s largest airbase, is located in Quinte West.
The price of admission for media was participation in the media ploughing event driving a standard 3600 Ford tractor. The competition was dominated by women representing radio, dressed in office attire complete with sandals. The women participating in the non-media two horse, single furrow plow event tended to be more appropriately outfitted. As an aside, I didn’t realize that mules were so large.
In addition to the horse drawn competitions were an antique class and, of course, more modern tractors. Bill Phillips, PM&FS President, said that the newer tractors were competing for serious points towards participation at the International Plowing Match.
Danford said that the 300 exhibitors came from all over the province. Another attendee described day one visitors as “hard core farmers” and day two as the general public. On the one hand the exhibitors provided new products for farmers and on the other hand public education for the general public perhaps unfamiliar with farming. Displays included woodlot demonstrations, agriculture technology and services, antique tractors, cars and engines and a family program.
Food vendors faced long lineups, 4H (head, heart, hands & health) had a milkshake refreshment booth and of course once one is satiated – one needs to attend to the call of nature. “Ask Janice Storms,” said Harry; “she ordered them.”
“In total”, said Janice, “there are 40 Johnnie-on-the-spots, some for the handicapped.”
During the lunch hour Freddy Vette and the Rhinestone Plowboys, a popular local western music group, entertained. When introducing the five member band Vette looked to his left and introduced the bass player – “the public address announcer, Mr. Publicity and my father Jim Haggerty”. Haggerty, a farmer, has been involved with The Show in some capacity for its entire three decades.
I have listened to the humourous and zany Freddie Vette CJBQ AM radio show for years and here he was introducing his farmer father who Vette had enticed out of musical retirement. Their stylistic suits – canary yellow full of rhinestones with white boots – were custom ordered from California. “There’s not much demand for these north of the border,” the lead guitar told me. Freddie was similarly outfitted but in purple. They entertained both days to an appreciative audience.
As Harry Danford pointed out, this year’s event was showcasing 150 years of Canada’s most important industry. And so they did.
Photos – by Y.T. (Yours Truly)