International Plowing Match and Rural Expo coming to Lindsay October 1 to 5

The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is coming to Kawartha Lakes October 1 through 5, 2024, primarily taking place at the Lindsay Fairgrounds.

This celebration of agriculture and rural life offers something for everyone. From thrilling plowing competitions to interactive activities for all ages, the IPM is an event residents and visitors alike won’t want to miss.

Explore hundreds of vendors and exhibitors showcasing everything from cutting-edge farm equipment to unique lifestyle products. Enjoy live entertainment across multiple stages and indulge in a variety of delicious food options. As North America’s largest event of its kind, on average, welcoming more than 70,000 visitors during the five-day event. This is your chance to experience the best of rural life.

To learn more, visit the Official IPM website.

“The IPM provides the incredible opportunity to showcase the rural hospitality Kawartha Lakes has to offer. It’s been a huge team effort pulling this event together, and everyone is excited to welcome attendees. With events of this size, public safety is very important. I’d like to remind everyone to please be patient as they park, load on to the wagon shuttles and get to the various events,” said Charlie McDonald, Kawartha Lakes Deputy Mayor and IPM visitor experience director.

Schedule of Events

The Official 2024 IPM Show Guide includes schedules, listings of sponsors and exhibitors, maps and much more.

Along with plenty of live musical entertainment, the Foodland Lifestyles Stage at the event will welcome a variety of local businesses, organizations and key-note speakers for interactive presentations daily. Visit the IPM Show Guide for schedule details.

A few key event highlights include:

– Canadian Cowgirls Show – Known worldwide, this Precision Drill team performs coordinated formations, precision movements, and dangerous and daring manoeuvres on horseback.
– RAM Rodeo – Witness the competitors battle in events such as barrel-racing, bucking broncs, and the dangerous, yet always captivating bull riding competitions.
– Tented City – Hundreds of vendors and exhibitors that range from local merchants to displays that depict farming today.
– Great Canadian Lumberjacks – Those who like the lumberjack competitions seen on TV will love seeing the Great Canadian Lumberjacks competition at IPM. From chainsaw carving, axe throwing, underhand chopping, cross cutting, chainsaw racing, spring board chopping and more, this competition promises to be a must see show.
– Taylor Swift tribute band Love Story – ‘Swifties’ of all ages will enjoy this tribute show.
– Tom Petty Greatest Hits Live (TPGHL) – Canada’s premier Tom Petty Show. With dynamic sets of songs and careful attention to proper instrumentation and sounds, TPGHL recreates the music of a Tom Petty concert experience like no other.

Tickets/Entry Fees

Tickets will be available for purchase at the gates daily. Methods of payment will be cash, debit, Visa and MasterCard. All entry fees include tax.

2024 IPM Entry Fees are as follows:

Adult (ages 16 and older) – $25
Youth (ages 6 to 15) –  $5
Children (ages 5 and under) – Free

Event Hours

Tented City hours of operation will be 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Showcase Kawartha Lakes

Be sure to drop by the Showcase Kawartha Lakes building located inside the Tented City and say hello. This vibrant display will highlight everything that makes Kawartha Lakes shine — from tourism, agriculture, arts, heritage, and culture to locally manufactured products, all set within a display which brings the ‘nature’ of Kawartha Lakes indoors.

Get a taste of our charming downtowns, sample some delicious local products, and experience the heart of our community. Discover (or re-discover) why Kawartha Lakes is an amazing place to live, work, and explore.

Planning Ahead

Event Parking

There will not be event parking within the Lindsay Fairgrounds. Event parking will be available in the general parking field, located on the west side of Angeline Street, at 293 Angeline Street South. Parking is free and there will be shuttle wagons available to transport event attendees from the parking lot into the fairgrounds. An accessible parking area will be located at Gate 3, enter via 354 Angeline Street South. Please be advised, an accessible parking permit will be required.

A Drop-off/Pick up Zone has been designated at Gate 2, located at 354 Angeline Street South.

View the event and parking site map for details.

On-Site Event Shuttles

Event shuttles will be available at pick up locations within the grounds of the event to transport event attendees throughout the various locations within the grounds, to view the plowing and back to event parking. View the Tented City Map for pick-up location

Local Public Transit

Lindsay Transit service will be adding a stop the RED route for the duration of the IPM. After the Victoria Manor stop at 00:40 each hour, the bus will continue south to the IPM RV Camping Area for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs. The RED bus will then resume its route to the Transit Hub. Adjusted service hours will begin on Sunday September 29. Regular fares will apply.

Visit the Lindsay Transit page to learn more.

Free Shuttle to View Plowing Competitions

A free shuttle service from the Lindsay Fairgrounds to the tractor and antique tractor plowing competition at the Walker Farm will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The shuttle will start and end within the Lindsay Fairgrounds. View the Tented City Map for pick-up location

Traffic and Detour Routes

The IPM is the largest event of its kind in North America, and with that comes an increase in visitors to our community. Residents and visitors alike should be aware and plan ahead for the fact that vehicular traffic in the areas of Angeline Street South and Highway 7 may experience delays due to higher traffic volume than normal. In addition to traffic volume, police and event volunteer presence surrounding the event entrance directing traffic should be expected and will cause intermittent delays in the areas surrounding the Lindsay Fairgrounds. It is advised that those who are not attending the event should plan ahead and take a different travel route to avoid the area.

Other things to know

– Dogs and pets are not permitted within the event grounds, parking and plowing fields. Working service animals will be permitted.
– While vendors may have debit and credit machines, many are cash only, so visit the bank before visiting to avoid disappointment.
– Smoking and vaping will not be permitted in Tented City.
– Prepare for weather, as this event will be a rain or shine event with plenty of walking and potential rough terrain.
– Be sure to follow the IPM on socials to see highlights throughout the week, or tag the IPM in your adventures. Find the IPM on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

To learn more about the event, visit the official IPM organizing committee website or the Kawartha Lakes 2024 IPM web page.