Hydro One installing grid that could power a small town at International Plowing Match grounds

Preparations for this year's International Plowing Match in Verner, Ont. are underway and ahead of schedule, according to event officials.

HydroOnesuperintendent for Northern Ontario, Leo Joseph says the power grid being installed at the event grounds is equivalent to what the utility would install to power a small town. There is also a 10 person crew working to install water lines.

Officials are projecting that 80,000 people willattendthe 5 day event from Sept. 17 to 21.

Joseph said that Hydro Oneuses the IPM as an opportunity to train new employees. He added that putting uphydro poles in a wide open farmer's field is much safer than theterrain where electrical lines are usually installed.

The 1000 acre fairgroundincludes a section for 1,200 RVs, 400 vendors, 200 acres for parking and, of course, anarea to plow.

The event is not just for farmerssaid IPM board director Neil Fox.

"This is a family oriented event," he said, "Science North will be participating, there's a huge educational component for the students in the area."

Fox said that there will be live entertainment as well, the program for which will be published this coming Monday.