More than 71,000 people passed through the gates of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo during its five-day return to Bruce County.
Organizers say the final attendance for the event, held just west of Walkerton from September 22 to 26, was 71,300. The total puts this year's event roughly in line with recent International Plowing Matches.
However, the final turnout came in below some of the expectations leading into this year's match.
Local committee chair Gord Lang told CKNX News in the week before the event that organizers were anticipating more than 100,000 people. Bruce County's longer-term budget planning had used an estimated attendance of about 80,000.
The event marked 50 years since Bruce County first hosted the International Plowing Match in 1976 and returned to the same area west of Walkerton where matches were held in 1976 and 1993.
Attendance at those earlier Bruce County events was significantly higher. Nearly 200,000 people attended in 1976, while the 1993 match attracted 150,149. When the event returned to Bruce County near Teeswater in 2008, 94,500 people passed through the gates.
The Ontario Plowmen's Association held four days of competitive tractor and horse plowing, followed by junior competition on Saturday.
Opening day drew thousands of visitors and provincial political leaders, including Premier Doug Ford, to the Walkerton-area site.
The 2026 event was the fourth International Plowing Match hosted by Bruce County.
The match moves to Lambton County next year, where the 2027 event is scheduled for September 21 to 25 near Petrolia.
