International Plowing Match Cry-Off
The International Plowing Match is taking place outside Crosby, Ontario from September 18-22, 2007. The match is located right in the heart of Eastern Ontario. You can find out information about the plowing match with maps and driving instructions by visiting http://ipm2007.ca.
As part of the activities we would like to hold a friendly Town Crier Get-Together on the Saturday, September 22nd. Hopefully this would then continue on next year as part of the IMP in Bruce County.
After talking with many criers the consensus is that each Crier would prepare 2 cries on any topic related to farming, agriculture or the plowing match. Humour is always appreciated. You can even use parts of your first cry, or even your entire first cry, at the group event.
The Criers would assemble on the grounds at the County Showcase area at around 10:30 AM. They would then walk around the expansive Tent City that forms the grounds and along the way stop at various corners where one crier would perform their first cry. This first cry ends with an invitation to “Not miss the Town Criers’ Cry-Off at noon hour in the County Showcase Tent.” (or something similar to that wording — worked in at the Crier’s choice.)
The second cry would take place at 12:00 noon hour in the County Showcase Tent.
After that we would gather for lunch and the day should end by 2:00 PM. Escorts are always welcome to join in the fun as well. (At this time we are uncertain as to whether the IPM or another sponsor will pick up the lunch costs.)
This is a completely social event for the Criers who will attend. There will be no judging, word counts or need to submit your cries in advance. We will have an announcer who will introduce each crier with a little background on them and where they are from, after that, it is totally up to each crier in attendance.
In order to finalize this with the IPM Directors, the Perth Town Crier, Brent McLaren, woud need to have a firm idea on attendance no later then September 1st. You can email me at: town.crier@perthtowncrier.com or call (613) 267-6341. (If you know the Distributel number for your area you can dial it, then our phone number and call without any long distance charges.)
Criers who are thinking about attending are asked to give a tentative “yeah” by August 22nd.
There will be a lot of details: parking, ground admissions, inclement weather options etc. to handle but this will all tumble out in the weeks ahead.