OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA(Photo by Jennie Mahon off www.freeimages.com)

An estimated 75,000 people will visit West Nipissing over a five day period in September of 2019.

That’s when the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo will take place.

Executive Director of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association Cathy Lasby says this event is a huge draw for any city or town that hosts it.She says “we lease about a thousand acres of land, we bring a 100 acre tented city and put up power lines and lay down water lines, and we’ll showcase everything that is good about agricultural living.”

Lasby says they also boast a very strong plowing competition which draws competitors from around the globe.

Lasby says this is just the second time the event will take place in northern Ontario, the first being Timiskaming Shores in 2009.

She says “I think if you speak with any of those people today they will tell you they are still enjoying very positive results and economic impact from hosting the plowing match, and that’s exactly what we want to hear.”

Lasby says they can expect upwards of 75,000 visitors over the five day event, with an estimated $15-$20-million economic spin-off for the area.