By Connie Tabbert
Editor
Mark your calendar and be prepared to have a fun, family day with opportunities to learn new things.
The annual Renfrew County Plowing Match is next Saturday, Sept.13 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The host families are Anna and Sylvester Afelskie, Bev and Gerry Afelskie and Vikki and Peter Afelskie. The event is on 50 acres of their Cobden farm, which is located just off Hwy. 17. To gain access to the site, use the driveway off of Stoppa Road, which actually crosses Raymond Stoppa’s property.
“We thank Raymond for letting us use his property to get to the site,” Bev said.
While it is a plowing match, Bev said the event is so much more.
“It’s a way of promoting a fun, family day,” she said. “It’s a way of promoting local farms and businesses. It’s making awareness of what farmers do and what machinery they use.”
Many farmers come for the opportunity to socialize, have fun on the plow trying to beat a neighbour or check out the new equipment, as well as the antiques, that are at the site.
“If you’re not a farmer, become a farmer for a day,” she suggested. “It’s an opportunity to get a taste of what a farming community is and what farming is.”
There will be plenty of opportunity to watch traditional plowing, which is using the tractor and the old style, which was using horse and plow. Bev even noted there will be opportunity for people to try plowing, with the assistance of an experienced plowman. However, if it’s horse and plow you want to try, that’s up to the individual plowmen if they’ll let you try, she said. It’s tricky and you don’t want to harm the horse, she explained.
To determine if you can try plowing, Gerry said if you can reach the clutch and the steering wheel at the same time, you can try.
There is something for everyone at the day-long event, Bev said, from crafters and vendors, to the Kidzone, to the petting area, numerous exhibitors and food.
The local 4-H members, along with members from the Renfrew County Soil and Crop, will be hosting breakfast while members of the Cobden Curling Club will be serving up a hot lunch. But, don’t worry, there will be other food vendors in the food court, selling hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and much more.
There will be no shortage of farm equipment to check out, whether new, used or antique.
The soil and crop members will be doing no till demonstrations throughout the afternoon, Gerry said. This is a method of how land preparation is done today, he added.
There will be antique thrasher demonstrations throughout the day as well as dog agility demonstrations.
The gates open at 8:30 a.m. but the official opening doesn’t happen until 11 a.m. It begins with an antique tractor and vehicle parade, as well as horse drawn wagons, which will also provide rides throughout the grounds following the parade. Providing the horse drawn rides are Keith and Ruby Bennett, Tom Redmond and Pat McIntyre.
Well-known local entertainer Dai Bassett is emcee for the day and there will be local talent performing on the stage, which will also be where Westmeath’s Cailen Bromley will be crowned Queen of the Furrow for Renfrew County. It’s hoped Miranda Crogie, the current queen who hails from Douglas, will attend the event so she can pass on the crown.
Bev said this event is for every family to enjoy, whether you live in the country, a town, or even a city. It will happen whether it’s hot and sunny or rainy. Just remember the gum rubbers if it’s raining. It’s an educational day, she added, noting young people can learn how the area was settled and how machinery has developed over the years.
There is a $7.50 entry fee for adults, while youth 12 and younger get in for free. This fee goes back to the association to be used to pay the various bills, such as entertainment and advertising. It’s suggested that pets be left at home, as there are animals at the event which may not be comfortable with other strange animals.
Bev and Gerry agreed there is no expense for the host, except to ensure the land is ready for plowing and the field where vehicles will be parked is available. The Renfrew County Plowmen’s Association takes care of laying out the site and preparing it the day before and after the event, as well as clean-up.
Members of the executive of the plowmen’s association are: president, Myles England; vice-president, Derek Smith; treasurer, Yves Rochon and secretary, Penny Rochon, and numerous directors and volunteers.
