The 2007 Leeds-Grenville IPM is over and
the volunteers must be breathing a
sigh of relief. The more than 90,000 people who came through the gates
would agree that the Match was a definite success. They enjoyed all the
sights, sounds, smells, and experiences that an IPM has to offer. Many
lined up for a trip in the Hydro One bucket that can lift five people
(including operator) 155 feet in the air. Many visited the cow with
living
quadruplets. Many marveled at the Tackaberry display of vehicles, the
tractors and equipment from the past, and the Raptor Show. The Education
Tents, the Quilting Tent, the Artisan Tent, the many hundreds of vendors
and
exhibitors, and the many stages providing entertainment were all well
attended and busy.From the Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday 18 September to the Closing
Ceremonies on 22 September, the Bruce County people who attended the
2007
IPM made their presence known. The Bruce County float in the Opening Day
Parade was the longest vehicle, and several times Wayne McKague, the
driver,
had to back up to get around corners. Three Bruce County "Explore the
Bruce"
vehicles followed the float. The music and the many people walking
beside
the float and the vehicles added to the interest and excitement. The
week
was very busy promoting the Bruce County IPM and Bruce County, selling
souvenirs, talking to people, and taking RV Park registrations. The
souvenirs were an attraction and more than 75% were sold. Of the 1000
cook
books taken to Leeds-Grenville less than 100 remained; all the cast
aluminum
tractor seat were sold, and many tickets on the 1952 Ford 8N tractor and
the
quilt were purchased; and over 700 RV sites were reserved. To finish off the week, at the Closing Ceremonies the art that will be
integrated into the 2008 Bruce County IPM official poster was unveiled.
The
art was created by Ken Thornburn of Tara and echoes both the history of
Bruce County and the 1993 Bruce County IPM poster. Bruce County Warden
Mitch Twolan and South Bruce Mayor Bill Goetz flanked the easel while
Vanessa Klages, 2007 Queen of the Furrow, and Katie Cheesmond, 2008
Queen of
the Furrow, lifted the Bruce County tartan covering the art. This was
the
final official act of Vanessa's reign and the first official act of
Katie's
reign. It is all over but the shouting for those in Leeds-Grenville, but for
the
volunteers of Bruce County, the final countdown has begun. Many of the
more
than 150 Bruce County people who attended the 2007 Match stayed to help
clean up and to pack up all the material that will be coming to
Teeswater
for the 2008 Match. Our congratulations go out to those many volunteers
who
worked for three years to bring the 2007 IPM to a successful conclusion.
Their knowledge, planning, organization and execution were very evident.
A
huge job well done! Everyone should be very proud. Their great amount of
time and effort was rewarded with the exceptional weather. Mayor Goetz
mentioned that he has "a fervent hope that the 2007 volunteers left some
nice weather for the Bruce County IPM in 2008." |
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