The
2018 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo is open for business Friday
morning, as of 8:30 a.m. Site crews have
been working to clear water and repair road surfaces following yesterday’s
heavy rainfall that cancelled afternoon events on Thursday.

“Mother
Nature threw us a curveball yesterday, but we caught it and we are continuing
the game,” said IPM 2018 Co-chair Darrin Canniff.

Organizers
say they will continue to monitor the weather, and they caution that wet
conditions might limit accessibility for visitors with special needs.

• Today, the Queen of
  the Furrow contestants will make their speeches, starting at 9:30 a.m. on the
  Pride Seeds main stage, and a new queen will be announced just before
  noon.
• Plowing competition
  will start at 9 a.m. The Canadian Cowgirls and the Team Farmall dancing
  tractors will be putting on shows in the morning and afternoon, and rodeo
  shows are scheduled for noon and 2:30 p.m. The
  Auctioneers’ Challenge runs 2 to 4 p.m. inside the World Records Tent.
• Former Lac-Mégantic, Quebec Fire Chief
  Denis Lauzon will be the Feature Speaker on the Pride Seeds Main Stage
  from noon to 12:45 p.m. to discuss the rail car tragedy that took place
  there in 2013.
• Canadian Celtic rock favourites MUDMEN
  perform on the Pride Seeds Main Stage at 12:45 p.m. and the Final Furrow
  Lounge at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday will be the last day of IPM 2018, with the
gates closing at 5:00 p.m. For more
information and the IPM 2018 Show Guide, visit www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2018.