Fourth time's a charm for Lillian Beyersbergen-Oakes, the 2025 Plowing Match Princess
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
Lillian Beyersbergen-Oakes is the Huron County Plowing Match’s newest Princess, triumphing in the competition in her fourth attempt and besting five worthy contestants on a warm Thursday at Dodds Century Farms near Seaforth.
Beyersbergen-Oakes is the daughter of Kerry Beyersbergen and the late Michael Oakes. She will be entering Grade 10 at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham in the fall.
After the Princess contestants had spent the morning together, getting to know one another and doing crafts together, they undertook their interviews with judges Marlene Glanville, Steph Moffatt and Monique Baan. Those same judges were then seated for the speeches, which began at 1 p.m. on Junior Day, Aug. 14, at the Huron County Plowing Match. Former Princess and organizer of the Princess competition Natalie Fear made the introductions, while outgoing Princess Jillian Simpson served as the emcee for the afternoon.
Beyersbergen-Oakes was the first to recite her speech, which was an upbeat and bubbly take on the quest to save pollinators, complete with a stuffed bee as a prop for her presentation.
Twelve-year-old Amelia Terpstra reflected on the history and importance of the Huron County Plowing Match and how she looked up to her sister, MacKenzie, who was the 2024 Queen of the Furrow. Next, 16-year-old Clara deBoer spoke about the importance of 4-H Clubs and all that she’s learned from them, including how to repurpose old clothing and make new outfits, just like the dress she was wearing that day, which she had crafted herself.
Johanna Van Nes, 16, then spoke about the importance of the “Three Fs”, also known as farming, family and faith and how important all three are in her life, while her 14-year-old sister, Sarah, spoke about the beauty and welcoming nature of Huron County and all it has to offer both residents and visitors.
Casey Bernard, 17, spoke last, recounting a story about her, her father and her siblings helping do the chores and tend to a friend’s barn last winter when the roads were closed and the owners of the barn were unable to get home to tend to their farm themselves. More than just a story, Bernard said it was a reflection on the strength of community and the bond between neighbours in Huron County.
After the speeches, the judges then deliberated for quite some time, during which Simpson was able to reflect on her year as the Huron County Plowing Match Princess and officially say goodbye to the crown, though she has already expressed her intention to throw her hat into the ring for the Queen of the Furrow title when she’s old enough.
When the judges resurfaced, Moffatt spoke to the crowd about the quality of the competition this year and the tough choice they had to make. Eventually, deBoer was named the runner-up and Beyersbergen-Oakes was named the winner.
As she addressed the crowd, she said she was so happy to have finally been named the winner of the competition and looked forward to representing the Huron County Plowmen’s Association in the year ahead.
Fear also announced that she would be taking a step back from the organizational aspects of the Princess competition and that Maranda Klaver would very competently take over for her in the years ahead.