Registration deadline is June 1, 2026 and complete competition details are available at
plowingmatch.org/ipm2026.
It’s time to roll up your sleeves, plant those flowers, tidy up the yard and show off your pride in your own little piece of Bruce County. The 2026 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) Beautification Contest is officially open — and local organizers are encouraging residents, farmers and business owners to
enter today.
Whether it’s a tidy farm, a lush garden, a lovingly-created barn quilt, or a wellmaintained home in town, this contest is all about celebrating the places that make Bruce County shine. As the region prepares to welcome thousands of visitors this fall, the Beautification Contest is your chance to help put your community’s best foot forward.
The 2026 IPM will be hosted in Bruce County, bringing one of Ontario’s largest rural events to the region for five days of agriculture, education, entertainment and community celebration.
“We know Bruce County is full of pride, creativity and hard work—and this contest is a
fun way to showcase all of that,” says IPM 2026 Local Committee Chair Gord Lang.
“Whether you go big or keep it simple, it all adds up to something special when visitors
arrive. Let’s make Bruce County look its absolute best!”
The contest is proudly sponsored by Sprucedale Agromart, a strong supporter of rural
communities and the people who keep them growing.
“We’re proud to support initiatives like the Beautification Contest that bring communities
together and celebrate the hard work and pride people take in their properties,” says
Jeff Kobe of Sprucedale Agromart. “It’s these kinds of efforts that help showcase the
very best of rural Ontario.”
Contest Categories include:
• Urban or Rural Home
• Century Farm
• Garden
• Business
• Farmstead
• Spirit of the Match
• Barn Quilt
The $100 entry fee includes two tickets to the Awards Banquet on August 19, where 1st,
2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be presented in each category.
“The Awards Banquet will be one of the highlights of the summer—just a month before
the IPM kicks off,” says Jen Legge, Beautification Committee Chair with the IPM 2026
Local Committee. “It will be a great night out with good food, great company and plenty
to celebrate. Your entry truly pays for itself.”
Organized in partnership with the Ontario Plowmen’s Association and held in a different
host community each year, the IPM attracts visitors from across the province and beyond to experience championship plowing competitions, interactive exhibits, local food, live entertainment and hands-on demonstrations that showcase the strength and diversity of Ontario agriculture and rural life. Mark your calendars and be sure to attend this year’s IPM 2026 held just outside of Walkerton, Bruce County from September 22 to 26.
For more information contact brucecountyipm@gmail.com or visit us on the
web: plowingmatch.org/ipm2026
