The spotlight is on Verner and West Nipissing with the 2019 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo starting today.

Plowing events begin at 9:30 am with the opening day parade at 10:30 am and opening ceremony at noon.

VIP plowing, with Premier Doug Ford, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner takes place this afternoon at 2:30 pm.

Farm land owner Daniel Olivier says tens of thousands of people are expected over the next five days.

“We’re happy with 15,000 per day and 75,000 coming through. But, this could very easily balloon to 100,000 because of the location where we are, we’re midway between North Bay and Sudbury,” he says.

Queen of the Furrow Derika Nauta says on top of the plowing there’s the RV Park and the Tented City.

“Full of vendors, exhibitors, you’re going to see live music, live entertainment, there’s rodeos, you’re going to see demonstrations you’ve never seen before, you get to learn things about agriculture and so I would say just show up open-minded and expect to have a good time,” she says.

Check out IPM2019.com for all the details and scheduled events.

(Photo above by station staff)

Meantime, a who’s-who of provincial politicians are in the area for the event.

Premier Doug Ford arrived in the city yesterday and stopped by a Tim Horton’s in North Bay to support the Smile Cookie Campaign.

 

 

Funds raised locally are supporting Community Living North Bay.

Ford then spoke to supporters at the Davedi Club.

 

 

Outside a group of protesters, including federal NDP candidate Rob Boulet, gathered to rally against funding cuts.

Earlier in the day, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark announced $2.5 million dollars in funding for Indigenous supportive housing.

A 30 unit apartment building will be built across the street from the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, with 17 units subsidized by the province.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliott marked the 13th annual Recovery Month at North Bay Recovery Home.

Also yesterday Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Lisa MacLeod met with Tourism North Bay officials yesterday.

 

 

As for the opposition, provincial Liberal leadership candidate Michael Coteau held a meet and greet with Federal Liberal candidate Anthony Rota, then held a town hall meeting in the city.