Corner of Hwy 49 & Hwy 733, Wanham, Alberta, T0H 3P0
Phone: 780-834-7626
The 50th Wanham Plowing Match is FINALLY here! After more than three long years away, we are proud to bring a new version of the Wanham Plowing Match to celebrate the 50th year.
The Wanham Plowing Match started in 1971, a small town looking for its place on the map. A small group of local farmers took ideas from neighbors across the country and hosted the very first Wanham Plowing Match, officially opened by Lieutenant Governor Grant MacEwan. Grant MacEwan’s address to the community on that first day stated: “What I’ve seen today, the jaunt through the countryside and what you’ve done by way of community spirit and community effort, is a transformation and a revelation that is just wonderful. I confess I don’t know the whole story about COCO, but it is something that is homegrown and intensely original. My admiration reaches its peak when I see people do things such as you have done. You have something here that must just fill you with pride.” The next 49 years of the Wanham Plowing Match conquered change, adversity, and many hardships, and now after a long hiatus due to covid restrictions that began in 2019, the board of directors and the community are proud to announce that we will finally be hosting the 50th "annual" Wanham Plowing Match.
The old fashion horse plowing, modified truck and tractor pulling and many accompanying activities are set to return June 23-25. Barrel racing, horse jumping and pole bending were just some of the recently added events in our past few years. This year, we have a number of new activities planned to provide entertainment and education throughout the entire weekend. Some of these ideas include a homestead themed series of educators touching on sustainable living and farming, and an increased kid’s zone for families, including a family dance with live music, and silent auction.
Wanham is a small community in the Peace with a big heart. We have local hotels and campgrounds where many visitors will stay during the weekend, so we will be once again tracking both to obtain numbers afterwards.
With the many new, and returning events the 50th Wanham Plowing Match is finally sure to be the highlight of the community’s summer!