Heather Wright/The Independent

The Ontario Plowmens’ Association has found a new Lambton County home for the 2027 International Plowing Match.

It will be at the farm of Clayton and Linda McLauchlin east of Petrolia.

In a news release the OPA says, their farms provide an “open agricultural landscape” and is accessible for the show which is expected to draw upwards of 50,000 people for the September event.

The 2027 IPM was originally planned at the Brigden Fairgrounds. A local committee landed the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in April 2025. The group attracted hundreds of volunteers and planning was well underway.

In late May, OPA officials came to Brigden, working with the local committee on the event.

But on June 30, Local Committee Chair, Dennis Bryson, and Lambton Plowmen’s Association President Albert Tuinstra sent an email to the OPA saying Lambton would not host the event.

The local 2027 organizing committee then sent out a news release July 3 saying  after “careful consideration,” the committee withdrew its offer to host because they could not work out a deal.

The OPA balked at the idea, insisting in July, the event would go on in Lambton.

Cathy Lasby, executive director of the OPA, tells The Independent Wednesday the association started working with Lambton farm leaders to find a location where the event could go forward. The McLauchlins were among the local farmers who stepped forward and Lasby says they were excited to work with the OPA.

Lasby says the McLauchlin’s farm is perfect for the event. “Topography-it’s flat, exactly what we need. It’s all in one block, which makes it great for the ploughing and the parking in the tented city and the RV park to be all in a in a group like that, and it’s access to 402.”

The OPA calls this a “significant milestone” for the 2027 IPM in the news release sent out to people who volunteered for the event. Many volunteers, Lasby says, have agreed to continue their work. A new local organizing committee is expected to be announced shortly.

“We’re thrilled with the response that we’ve received. We’ve just finished with a meeting with our directors and we know that many of the committees as a whole are willing to to restart and move ahead. So souvenirs, the cookbook, beautification, the worship service. Some of those committees are are wanting to to restart just as soon as we can,” she says.

Lasby says the abrupt change of location has caused some delays. Normally, the local organizing committee would have the RV Park set out and sell lots at the 2026 event; it’s not ready yet. Lasby says they’ll be taking pre-registrations instead.

The OPA also wants to get the sponsorship committee working in Lambton, knowing some companies will soon be planning their 2027 budgets.

Lasby says she’s excited to move ahead. “I do remember, as I said, being at the Lambton match before as a visitor, and have always been impressed. I have great great friends in the agricultural circle in Lambton. I know they can do it.”