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IPM ends on a high note.

A long five days have paid off. The co-chairs of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Meaford and tired but smiling. Brian Bumstead says everything was successful at the 2004 IPM. Out of four of the five days, attendance reached the 75 thousand mark, but once the numbers are added up it should reach the goal of 80 thousand people. The IPM wrapped up yesterday with a parade of antique tractors, pipe bands and horse and wagons. Co-chair Pearl Bumstead says the marketing of the IPM was geared more to the urban sector and believes this paid off. She says part of the goal from the event was to educate urban people and children on the rural lifestyle. Brian Bumstead says the entertainment, the apple orchard tours and the woodlot tours were all very successful. He adds the work now starts with disassembling the tented city. He says it will take about a month to get the fields cleaned up and back in shape.