The plowing competition allows plowmen to show their ability to make the straightest and cleanest furrow, covering the trash and stubble for an eye-pleasing job.  Due to the small acreage that is available for today's plowing competition, two bottom plows are used for the event.  Tractors with rubber wheels are usually run on Saturday for the different classes.  Tractors with steel wheels or rubber wheels are used on Sunday.  Novelty tractors have a class of their own.  This group does not compete for the scoring of points.  Horse and mule classes are still listed, but there are so few horsed in the area that are trained to pull a two bottom plow that they don't compete every year.  For many years the plowing competition has taken place across the road from Plowman's Park on the land owned by Marvel Davis.

SCORECARD of the BIG ROCK PLOWING MATCH ASSOCIATION

  25 points...Low back furrows distinct (back to be slightly crowning and all trash covered)  
  25 points...Furrows of uniform depth and width, showing slight ridge and distinct from end to end)
  25 points...Line of furrow
  15 points...Covering of trash
  10 points...General neatness of the whole and appearance of ends
  Total possible points: 100 (perfect)
  All plowmen using 16-inch plows must plow not less than 14 inches.
  All plowmen using 14-inch plows must plow not less than 12 inches.
  All plowmen using 12-inch plows must plow not less than 10 inches.
  All plowmen will be scored back for not finishing the land by the specified finish time - 4 points
  of each foot in width, and 4 points for each inch less than the minimum depth of 5 inches or
  for each inch in excess of the maximum depth of 7 inches.
  All plowmen must plow 5 inches but not more than 7 inches deep.
  All plowmen must make 7 rounds.
  No assistance to any plowmen after the first round.
  Al plowmen must leave the field at designated time to finish, unless granted more time by field
  committee for some reasonable cause.

LAND DRAWING

Saturday

9:00a.m. sharp
9:30a.m. START
12:30p.m. finish
3:30p.m. Trophy Presentation

Sunday

10:30a.m. sharp
12:00 noon START
3:00p.m. finish
4:30p.m. Trophy Presentation

CLASSES SATURDAY

Boys and Girls 15 and Under Class
Boys and Girls 19 and Under Class
Farmers Open Class
Prizewinners Class
(Plowmen who have taken two first places in the Farmers Class compete in this class).
Expert Plowmen's Class
(Plowmen who have won first place two successive years in the Prizewinners Class must compete in this class).
Horse or Mule Class
Novelty Class
(Judged on unit only, plowing does not enter in judging.  Plowmen in this class are not required to make 7 complete rounds.)

CLASSES SUNDAY

Antique Rubber Class
(tractors made before 1939)
Antique Steel Class
(tractors made before 1939)
Novelty Class
(judged on unit only, plowing does not enter in judging. Plowmen in this class are not required to make 7 rounds)

SWEEPSTAKES

Given to the plowmen with the highest score during the Plowing Match, except those entered in the Expert Class

 
The Ladies Fair is a showcase of our local talent in baking, canned goods, candy, handicrafts, embroidery, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and photography. Everyone, men, women, and children, are invited to browse the various categories and classes on the Premium Sheet and submit their entries for display and judging. In addition to almost two dozen categories and over 150 classes, there are seventeen Special Awards sponsored by businesses offering almost $600 in prize money, as well as an engraved silver-serving piece presented to the talented individual who wins the most ribbons in all classes.
 

Special Awards - 2008:

Harley Davis Memorial
   An engraved serving piece to the person winning the most ribbons in all classes. All ribbons count equally.
Big Rock County Mutual Insurance Company
   $30 to the person residing in Big Rock with the most ribbons in all classes. All ribbons count equally.
Ward Auction & Appraisals, Inc.– Big Rock
   $25 to the person with the most entries in all classes. Ties will be split.
Burgess Tractor Service – Big Rock
   $25 to the person residing outside Big Rock winning the most blue ribbons in all classes.
The Old Second National Bank
   $50 to the person winning the most blue ribbons in Baked Goods.
Executive Affiliates, Inc. – Big Rock
   $40 to the person winning the most blue ribbons in Needlework in Sections I, VII, VIII, IX, X.
Gladys Butcher Memorial
   $25 to the person winning the most blue ribbons in Canned Goods.
Big Rock Plowing Match Association.
   $60 First, $40 Second, to the person with the most entries in all Baking classes. Ties will be split.
Michael’s Supermarket – Hinckley
   $25 to the Champion sewing garment in Section VIII, Classes 1-10.
Dairy Joy – Hinckley
   $25 to the Champion yarn article in either knit or crochet in Sections IX or X.
Healy Chapel
   $25 to the person winning the most blue ribbons in Section V.
Shirley Dickson Memorial
   $20 for Outstanding Craft item. Award is chosen by the Shirley Dickson family and may not necessarily be a ribbon winner.
Rooster Ag Realty – Big Rock
   $35 for Best of Show quilt.
Harry Schoger & Sons, Inc. – Big Rock
   $35 to the person residing in Big Rock winning the most blue ribbons in Flowers.
Shala Farms – Big Rock
   $35 to the person residing outside Big Rock winning the most blue ribbons in Flowers.
Big Rock Lions Club
   $25 to the man winning the most blue ribbons. Excludes Vegetables & Grain.
J & D Door Sales – Big Rock
   $25 to Best in Cross Stitch.
Resource Bank – Hinckley
   $15 to Best of Show in Photography
 

So, take a good look at the Premium Sheet, gather up recipes for your favorite categories, finish up those handicraft projects, and let your talents shine through with armloads of entries. Bring your entries to the Ladies Fair building on Friday.

Suggestions for shortening your check in time on Friday.
q  Avoid the last minute rush – arrive early – entries accepted between 2 and 7 pm
q  Arrange your entries in the same order as listed on your 3”x 5”entry card – include name, address, and all entries listed per sample on premium sheet
q  Use tape or safety pins to securely affix label on each article/item - 1” x 2” label on each article/item with Section, Category, and Class
q  Remember, your name must not appear on the item
q  Bring return address or computer labels – one per item – to be used on entry tags

Judging takes place on Friday evening with first and second place winners receiving award ribbons and prize money. All entries are on display Saturday morning. The Bandstand is the place to be on Saturday afternoon. Over 75 different categories of prize-winning baked goods will be auctioned to the highest bidder starting at 1 pm with Junior Fair items followed by the Ladies Fair items at 1:30 pm. These Blue & Red ribbon winners are the best of the best – who will be taking home these mouthwatering delicious treats?  All you need is a Bidder’s number available that day or you can reserve one by contacting A. Denise Farrugia at (630) 556-4771. All proceeds benefit the Big Rock Plowing Match Association.

Premium Sheets are mailed to residents of Big Rock Township the end of July. Requests for the Premium Sheet are accepted through this website. Please provide your email address to receive the Premium Sheet electronically.

Copies are also available at:
Big Rock Post Office
Fifth Third Bank in Hinckley
Bank of Waterman
Bank of Sugar Grove

We are always on the lookout for new talent, new sponsors, or new buyers for our auction.

Questions? Contact any Committee member: 
Kim Ward at (630) 556-3648
Donita Bartoszek at (630) 556-9000
A. Denise Farrugia at (630) 556-4771
 

 
 
     The Junior Fair provides an opportunity for children ages 3 through 14 to showcase items they have drawn, sewn, photographed, baked, built, or crafted.  It is open to any child who is interested in entering.  Items (other than the baked goods) do not have to be made specifically for the Junior Fair ( they can be made at camp, scouts, school, etc.).  They all must however meet the requirements for the category they are entered in. 

     Each year we offer a different Craft Special Premium (this year it is "CREATE A 12" x 12" SCRAPBOOK PAGE") and a Baking Special Premium (this year's is "WACKY CAKE").  Area businesses and local families sponsor our Special Awards and Premiums and several classes as well.  We are very grateful for their support.

     All first, second, and third place winners are awarded ribbons and prize money.  All of our 1st and 2nd place baked goods are auctioned to the highest bidder on Saturday at 1:00p.m.  All prize money may be collected at the office after this auction.  Entries may be claimed after 4p.m. on Sunday at the Junior Fair building.

     One of the favorite categories of those who visit our event annually is the "Vegetable person or creature".  You might see an ear of corn playing a guitar, an ever so tiny jalapeno field mouse, a potato monkey, an onion snowman, etc.

     The 2006 Junior Fair had over 500 entries from children in 15 different communities.  We hope for more this year.  Premium sheets are available at the Big Rock at the Post Office or DeKane Equipment, Bank of Waterman, Sugar Grove Library, Elburn Library, and in Hinckley at Dairy Joy or Michael's Supermarket.  If you have any questions please call Sandy Carr at (630) 556-3171.
 
 

Do you have a green thumb?  Well here’s a chance to show off your prized fruits and vegetables.  Bring your entries to the tent next to the Ladies Fair building between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday of Plowing Match weekend.

The winners will receive ribbons and cash prizes.  Here are two examples of premiums for the show: first prize: 1 peck of potatoes will win $4.50 and first prize: display of 5 garden vegetables will win $3.00.

Prize-winning entries will be prices and sold on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Farmers Market.  All proceeds go to the Plowing Match Association.  All entries must be grown by the exhibitor.

The participant with the most ribbon-winning entries in Section I will be awarded a $15.00 prize, as will the top winner in Section II.  For the most ribbons overall, an additional award of $15.00 will be given.

All categories for the Vegetable & Grain Show are listed on the back page of the premium sheet for the Ladies Fair.  See Ladies Fair for locations of lists.

Note to Crafters:
We furnish ONLY the space.  The Big Rock Plowing Match Association, Inc. is not liable for damage or loss to any exhibitors work.  Space is limited, so please consider returning your application as soon as possible to ensure available space and desired location of space.

If you are a new crafter please provide two (2) photographs when sending in your application.  One of your booth and one of your craft merchandise.

Exhibitors are required to arrive during the set up times and be ready to be open to the public during all hours of the show.  NO BREAKING DOWN ON SUNDAY until the end of the show or until given permission to do so.

For more information please contact Jeanne Jackson:   phone (630) 556-3779 or E-mail

There are over 25 different Western and English Competitions plus fun events.
Starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
Entry fees to classes are $5.00 each.
All classes are educational and fun for all riders, regardless of age.
If you want a Show Bill or more information contact Bonnie at (630) 556-3501 or
E-mail her at – rwarchol@att.net

At 1:00 P.M. on Sunday the cattle ring at the Plowing Match grounds will be full of prized cattle.  Members of the Big Rock Cowhands will be joined by 4-H members from other parts of Kane county as well as Lee, DeKalb, and Kendall counties.  It’s expected that over 25 animals will be shown.

An auction of the champions and reserve champions will be held at 3:00 P.M.  This will give you an opportunity to fill your freezer and support our area youth.

Saturday – 9 a.m.

Sunday – 12:00 noon

Hope your pitching arm is all warmed up.  The Horseshoe Tournament at the Big Rock Plowing Match will begin with the Singles Competition on Saturday at 9 a.m.  Trophies for 1st and 2nd place will be awarded to winners of the A, B, and C classes.

Class ( C ):  Sign up at 8:30 a.m., play starts at 9:00 a.m.
Class ( B ):  Sign up at 11:00 a.m., play starts when ( C ) finishes.
Class ( A ):  Sign up at 12:00 noon, play starts when ( B ) finishes.

On Sunday, the Doubles will begin after church service.
There will be trophies awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners.

Sign up is at 11:30 a.m. and play starts at 12:00 noon

The Round Bale Roll-off is an old fashioned contest that consists of teams of three people trying to roll a 1,200 lb. bale of straw several feet across a finish line.  Two teammates push while a third tries to stay on top.  If the person on top falls off, the bale must come to a complete stop while that person is helped back on top by his teammates.  Then they can continue towards the finish line.

Winners are judged on a time basis.  No cleats or spikes are allowed. 

There are two age groups:            boys & girls ages 12 to 17
                                                      men & women ages 18 and above

There is a $15.00 registration fee per team.  Prizes and ribbons will be awarded.

Competition takes place in the cattle ring at 3:30pm on Saturday.

The annual children’s pedal tractor pull is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the cattle ring.  The event will be run by John Thompson and friends and is sponsored by the Plowing Match Association.

The event is open to boys and girls who weigh up to 80 pounds.  The entry fee is just $1.00 and there are four classes:  41-50 lbs., 51-60 lbs., 61-70 lbs., and 71-81 lbs.  A first place trophy will be awarded for each category and a participation ribbon is given to all entrants. 

Smiles, smiles and more smiles are what you will see at the Children's Races.  All children - preschoolers through 8th graders - are invited to participate in the races on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the cattle ring at Plowman's Park.

You might see preschoolers testing their skills at dashes and a penny race.  Kindergartners and first graders may join in dashes, a penny race, and a shoe race.  Another shoe race and a hopping race may highlight the second and third grade competitions.  Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders might get “slimed” in an egg toss.  Seventh and eighth graders may test their skills with a three-legged race, an egg toss, and a 50-yard dash.

Cash prizes will be awarded for races in each grade division.  Children must have tie shoes to participate in the shoe races.  Junior High students will need to supply their own ties for the three-legged race.