After some mix-ups and local controversy earlier this summer, the Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) has officially locked down the new site for the 2027 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo.
It will be held on a family farm, just east of Petrolia, from September 21 to 25, 2027.
The OPA said the Petrolia Line property, owned by Clayton and Linda McLauchlin and their family, delivers the perfect open landscape, easy access, and major operational footprint needed to pull off an event of this scale.
Executive Director Cathy Lasby told Sarnia News Today they're really excited to move forward.
"We know that Lambton County can put on a phenomenal event, you certainly have in the past and 2027 will be no exception" Lasby said. "[The] McLauchlin family have been wonderful to work with. They've provided up to 500 acres of land in one block. All things point to a great event."
Lasby said the site has met their electrical requirements.
"Hydro One has been a phenomenal partner with us for many years," she said. "They have checked the site, they have checked the hydro capacity, and it's all systems go."
With just over a year turnaround, Lasby said the next step will be to put a leadership team together.
"We're thrilled with the response we've received from some of the people that were involved previously, and they still want to be involved and we're thrilled about that," Lasby said. "So, we'll be putting that together. We're inviting a bunch of them to come to this year's match in Walkerton to get a first hand view of their committees that they're going to be involved in. So, we're going to pivot pretty quickly."
Lasby said notices have been sent to all volunteers they had contact information for, from the last recruitment, and they're responding positively.
Second Vice-President Glen Early echoed the OPA's commitment to delivering an outstanding event in Lambton County.
"This site gives us the foundation to move ahead," Early said. "We are now inviting the community, agricultural organizations, businesses, and volunteers to join us in building something truly special."
The first Lambton match was held at the historic Goodison Farm in Sarnia Township in 1923, on land now associated with the Lambton College campus.
The OPA said it demonstrated the county’s ability to bring together agriculture, innovation, community leadership, and visitors from across Ontario.
The tradition continued with the 1973 and 1991 matches and the OPA said next year's event will honour the people who hosted the earlier matches, while creating a new chapter for Lambton agriculture.
The OPA announced on July 9, less than a week after the Lambton Plowman's Association announced it had withdrawn its offer to host the event, that it would in fact be held in Lambton County.
