"Yee-Haw!" down on the farm; no place like the Toronto Fall Home Show

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 17-16

    (c) By Jim Fox

 

How can you keep them down on the farm when their big show of the year is happening?

   Some 75,000 people – many of them “city slickers” – will get a taste of farm life at the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo.

   It’s on Sept. 20 to 24 in Minto (Harriston) in Wellington County, about an hour north of Stratford, on the farm of Earl and Anne Schneider.

Plowing competitions the old-fashioned way are a feature at the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo.

   With the theme “A Fresh Taste of Farming,” the match is more than a little bit country in its 99th year of the rural extravaganza.

   “Ontarians can explore rural lifestyles and learn about the importance of agriculture in the local, provincial and Canadian economies,” said Don Priest, president of the sponsoring Ontario Plowmen’s Association.

   There will be displays of farm products and equipment from the past alongside today’s modern technologies, he added.

The RCMP Musical Ride is a highlight of this year’s plowing match.

   Two featured events are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride on Sept. 20 and 21, and Medieval Jousting on Sept. 22, 23 and 24.

   There are plowing competitions, a parade, demonstrations of farming including animals, an auctioneer’s competition, Queen of the Furrow Gala, tribute artist bands and a tented city with some 500 exhibitors.

   BMO Kid’s Day is Sept. 24 with free admission for those to age 16, a free pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., shows in the tent and other activities.

   Wellington County’s tent has samples of local food and drink, a farmers’ market, live music, food demonstrations and a zip line to “fly over” the area.

   There is also a Green Legacy greenhouse, blacksmith at work, information about Minto’s railway history and activities for children.

   Wellington County has hosted the match six times since 1915, with the last in 2000. Next year it will be held in Walton in Huron County.

   At 9000 Gillespie Lane, Harriston, it’s open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $17; $5, ages six to 15; no charge to age six. plowingmatch.org; (519) 510-2016

   No place like home

   Whatever shape your space is in, you can discover the latest at the Toronto Fall Home Show
from Sept. 23 to 25.

   In its new home at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place (100 Princes’ Blvd.), this is where to get tips to organize your space, whether big or small.

   “Become inspired and informed with helpful advice, thousands of ideas and the latest products,” said Tina Holmes, show manager.

Renovators offer their advice at the home show.

   There are the latest styles, innovative products, concepts for that next renovation and deals from more than 300 retailers.

   “On the vibrant show floor, there’s new virtual reality and recycling the old with upcycle masterpieces for creative and fun ways to make your space unique, whether a house or a condo,” Holmes said.

   A fun exhibit is small space living in a vintage Airstream trailer from 1976.

   This stylish renovation is by Lynne Knowlton, blogger and designer who brought the Airstream back to life.

A renovated 1976 Airstream trailer will be on display at the Toronto Fall Home Show.

   Visitors can step into the future in the virtual reality room and experience a dream kitchen.

   “When you put on the virtual reality goggles, you’ll be instantly transported to a dream kitchen where you can walk around and explore,” said publicist Peter Ashworth.

   “In virtual reality, you can even change the kitchen finishes to suit your style and experience what it is like walk around as a giant, adult, child or pet,” he added.

   Industry experts including Damon Bennett, Kate Campbell, Frank Ferragine, Sharon Grech, Chris Palmer, Michael Penney, Jennylyn Pringle and Kimberley Seldon will be there. fallhomeshow.com; (416) 644-5400

   Happening

   Doors Open Waterloo Region was held  Sept. 17, with a science and technology theme.

   Forty-eight sites took part, with most open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   This was a chance to “explore special places” that have helped to enhance Waterloo Region’s international reputation as a hub of science and technology.

   Sites included Google’s Kitchener-Waterloo office to see the group fitness space, rock-climbing wall, meditation room, Maker’s Lab, games room and more.

   Visitors saw how Google’s culture is shaped by and reflected in the design and architecture of its buildings. regionofwaterloo.ca/doorsopen

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca