On Sept. 18 through Sept. 20, Big Rock, IL, will play host to the 121st annual Plowing Match, one of the longest running events of its kind.

A traditional competition based on Welsh heritage, the Big Rock Plow Match began in 1894 under the direction of Big Rock farmers S.A. Chapman, W.D. Powell, and Walter Scott.

Activities get under way with carnival wristband night from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the farm located just west of Aurora on state Highway 30. The concession stand will be open, selling hot dogs, chips and pop. This year, organizers welcome back Darrin Lee, who will be the DJ from 6:30 p.m.  to 9:30 p.m.

Antique Steel and Rubber category plowing begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. A Western & English Horse Show will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and will continue until 5 p.m. Delicious pork chop and chicken dinners from 5 B’s Catering of Waterman will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. The Ladies Fair auction will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and the Junior Fair auction at 1 p.m. The round bale roll-off will be at 4 p.m.

Following a community church service on Sunday, Sept. 20, 5 B’s Catering will provide a roast beef dinner this year starting at 11 a.m. Watermelon eating contest will be at 11 a.m. Plowing will resume on Sunday at noon, and the 4-H Beef Show will begin at 1 p.m. The Prince and Princess Contest will be at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Big Rock Park District bingo at 2:30 p.m.

A truly must see is the Big Rock Plow Match craft and art show, which features all types of hand crafted items and more than 50 vendors. The crafts and vendors show is held in the park, settled in among the festival activities.

This year the prize-winning entries of the Vegetable & Grain Show will be sold by silent auction. Stop by the tent frequently to place your bids. Winning bids will be determined at 1 p.m. Sunday and must be paid and picked up by 2 p.m. All proceeds go to the Big Rock Plowing Match Association.

Other attractions this weekend include train rides, and horseshoe tournament.

The Big Rock Plowing Match runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and from 11 a.m. to 4p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20.  For more information, contact Dawn Stegall at 630-556-4949 or email dcsras6057@sbcglobal.net.

For more information call the following; Plowing, Business Space Rental, Ladies Fair, Junior Fair, Horse Show, Horseshoe Tournament, Prince and Princess Contest, Pedal Tractor Pull and visit www.bigrockplowingmatch.com for all the details

SOURCE: Big Rock Plowing Match press release