DRESS UP OUR COMMUNITIES FOR THE BIG SHOW – IPM 2018
The Beautification Committee of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo 2018 (IPM 2018) is preparing
to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to Chatham-Kent. Planning sessions are already underway. Anyone wanting
information is invited to take part in an information meeting Monday February 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the Park Avenue Business
Centre in Chatham.
“Our vision is to showcase Chatham-Kent, attract visitors and have them want to return,” says Beautification Committee chair
Linda Henderson. She says the theme is Machines and Marigolds, and encourages residents and businesses to use the
lime-green and blue Chatham-Kent colours. These are also the colours of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo
2018 that will be held in Pain Court September 18 – 22.
“The official flower is the Bonanza Yellow French Marigold, which can be planted in early June and still be vibrant in
September,” says Henderson. “There can be central displays in each of the communities of Chatham-Kent, and individual
property owners can showcase their own imaginations.”
Henderson points out that Chatham-Kent citizens have a long award-winning tradition of beautifying their homes,
businesses, schools and community buildings with the goal of attracting visitors to our communities. “The
displays throughout each community do not have to be identical,” she says, “and creativity is certainly encouraged. In the
past, displays have often incorporated disused and antique farm equipment, and so we have included the idea in our theme
for the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo 2018.”
As many citizens have taken part in Chatham-Kent beautification campaigns in past years, Linda Henderson says she is
optimistic that the February 5 information meeting will be well attended. She says she would be happy to speak to community
groups about how they can become involved.
Linda Henderson can be reached through the IPM 2018 Facebook page, or by
email at beautificationipm2018@gmail.com. Additional information can be found online at www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2018.
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