122nd Big Rock Plow Match Is a Must-See Event Sept. 16-18
One of the great events of the fall — and a Kane County tradition for more than a century — takes place this weekend in Big Rock, IL.
From Sept. 16 through Sept. 18, Big Rock will play host to the 122nd annual Plowing Match, a traditional competition based on Welsh heritage that began in 1894 under the direction of Big Rock farmers S.A. Chapman, W.D. Powell and Walter Scott.
Located just west of Aurora on IL Highway 30, the Big Rock Plowing Match is one of the longest running farm shows in America.
Activities get under way with the carnival wristband night from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, when the concession stand will be open selling hot dogs, chips and pop.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, a Western & English Horse Show takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Antique Steel and Rubber category plowing begins at 9:30 a.m., the Ladies Fair auction will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and the Junior Fair auction at 1 p.m. The round bale roll-off will be at 4 p.m. Attendees can enjoy pork chop and chicken dinners from 5 B’s Catering of Waterman starting at 11:30 a.m.
Following a community church service on Sunday, Sept. 18, 5 B’s Catering will provide a roast beef dinner this year, starting at 11 a.m. A watermelon-eating contest will takes place at 11 a.m. Plowing will resume at noon Sunday, 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 our craft and art show,” organizers say in the plow show news release. “We have all types of hand crafted items, and we have over 50 vendors.”
The crafts and vendors show is held in the park. If you enjoy a home town festival, you must visit The Big Rock Plowing Match. Saturday, Sept. 17th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20th, 11 am to 4 pm. For more information contact Dawn Stegall at 630-556-4949 or email dcsras6057@sbcglobal.net.
Again 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 1:00 pm Sunday and must be paid and picked up by 2:00 pm. All proceeds go to the Big Rock Plowing Match Association.
Other attractions this weekend include train rides, and horseshoe tournament.
For more information, visit WWW.BIGROCKPLOWINGMATCH.COM.
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