URGENT UPDATE: The 131st Annual Big Rock Plowing Match and Festival opens this Friday, September 19, 2023, promising a weekend filled with excitement and community spirit. Running through Sunday, September 21, this year’s festival will feature not only the beloved plowing competition but also a host of new attractions designed to engage a younger audience.
The event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday with the dedication of the Davis Field sign, marking a historical milestone as it has been the site of plowing competitions since 1961. Organizers anticipate a turnout of between 1,000 and 1,500 attendees, bolstered by a surge in interest as communities recover from the pandemic.
Denise Farrugia, secretary of the Big Rock Plowing Match Association, expressed enthusiasm about the festival’s unique blend of agricultural tradition and modern entertainment. “We celebrate a plowing competition, and it’s just very unique,” she stated. “We have wrapped other activities that are agriculturally-based around the plowing competition.”
This year will introduce exciting activities, including a mud volleyball tournament and a bicycle parade on Friday, alongside the traditional carnival rides, craft shows, and live music. Food lovers can enjoy offerings from local 5B’s Catering, including pork chop and chicken dinners on Saturday, and turkey with ham dinners on Sunday, with French fries available for the first time.
Farrugia emphasized the event’s commitment to maintaining its agricultural roots while adapting to attract younger generations. “If that means bringing in mud volleyball to get those 20- and 30-year-olds interested, then that’s what we’re going to do,” she noted.
The festival promises not just fun but a deep sense of community, celebrating local heritage and fostering connections among attendees. With a rich 131-year history, the Plowing Match continues to be a cornerstone event for residents and visitors alike.
For more information about this exciting event, visit the official website at https://bigrockplowingmatch.org/festival-details%2Fschedule. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience a unique slice of agricultural history and vibrant community spirit this weekend.
Stay tuned for further updates as the festival unfolds!
