UPDATE: The highly anticipated 131st annual Big Rock Plowing Match and Festival is set to launch tomorrow, September 19, 2023, and will run through September 21, 2023. Residents and visitors can expect a weekend filled with thrilling competitions, carnival rides, and a rich celebration of agricultural heritage.
This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better, featuring the signature plowing competition alongside a vibrant carnival, craft shows, and a variety of engaging activities. Denise Farrugia, secretary of the Big Rock Plowing Match Association, emphasizes the event’s unique charm, stating, “We celebrate a plowing competition and it’s just very unique.”
Attendees can look forward to a plethora of activities, including a wildly popular watermelon-eating contest, mud volleyball, and even a pedal tractor pull. The bicycle parade kicks off festivities on Friday, while live music and delicious food from 5B’s Catering will keep the energy high throughout the weekend.
Farrugia highlighted that food options include mouth-watering pork chop and chicken dinners on Saturday, with turkey and ham dinners available on Sunday. For the first time ever, French fries will be on the menu, catering to the tastes of attendees of all ages.
With an expected crowd of 1,000 to 1,500 people, the festival is making a strong comeback following pandemic-related declines. The event will also feature the dedication of the new Davis Field sign at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, marking a significant milestone as it commemorates the 64-year history of plowing competitions held at the site.
Farrugia mentioned, “This has been a year-long project from idea to dedication with a tremendous amount of effort and in-kind generosity that made it all possible.” This dedication not only celebrates the past but also aims to attract younger generations, with new activities designed to engage them in the agricultural roots of the community.
The fusion of traditional and modern attractions aims to keep the festival relevant, ensuring it appeals to all demographics. As Farrugia succinctly puts it, “We are trying to bring in that younger generation and get them invested.”
This festival is not just an event; it’s a celebration of community, heritage, and the joy of agriculture. For more details on the exciting lineup of events, visit the official website at https://bigrockplowingmatch.org/festival-details%2Fschedule.
Don’t miss out on the festivities—join in the celebration of Big Rock’s agricultural legacy starting tomorrow!