HCPM26: Gracie Hoggarth reflects on year as Queen of the Furrow
BY GRACIE HOGGARTH
It’s hard to believe that my year as the Huron County Queen of the Furrow is already coming to an end. It really does feel like this year has gone by in the blink of an eye. Looking back, I’m not quite sure how I managed to fit so many events, parades and memories into one year!
When I found out I was going to be the Huron County Queen of the Furrow, I was so excited for everything that was ahead. I was excited to represent Huron County, meet new people, make new connections, and become more involved in my community. I don’t think I fully understood just how much this year would give me until I was actually in it.
One of the best parts of my year was getting to attend so many different events. I had the opportunity to attend the Seaforth Fall Fair, the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association’s reunion in Blyth, the Mitchell Fall Fair, the Ontario Plowmen’s Association Convention, the International Plowing Match hosted in the Niagara region, and volunteering with Lillian at Breakfast on the Farm scooping ice cream. I also really enjoyed Queen Camp, the International Plowing Match (IPM) Queen of the Furrow committee organized at Essentially Lavender. This event was great; it gave all of the queens in Ontario the opportunity to meet each other and learn the ins and outs of the IPM and the competition.
Some of my favourite memories of the year were at Santa Claus parades!
Lillian and I made our way through Clinton, Blyth, Brussels, Wingham, Seaforth, and Goderich. After six parades, we had the routine down, from getting bundled up in warm clothes ready to face the cold, and getting used to handing out candy canes with mittens on.
I definitely have to thank Brian, Steve and Ross for driving Lillian and me around to all of those parades. We really appreciate all of the time you put into getting us from parade to parade and making sure we got where we needed to be. I’m sure driving us around for an entire parade season was an experience in itself!
But, as much as I enjoyed the events, I think the relationships I’ve made have been my favourite part of this year. I’ve gotten to meet so many people throughout Huron County and make relationships that I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make otherwise. Being able to grow within my community and become more involved in it has been a highlight.
I want to thank the Huron County Plowmen’s Association for giving me the opportunity to represent Huron County this year. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes to make these events and programs happen, and I’m grateful that I get to be a part of it.
And Lillian, thank you for being such a great Princess and for sharing this year with me. I’m so glad I got to experience all of these events with you, and I know I’ll look back on our year together with so many great memories.
As my reign comes to an end, I think what I’m going to miss the most is getting to travel to all of the different events and represent Huron County and the Huron County Plowmen’s Association. I’ve really enjoyed getting to talk to people about the Queen of the Furrow competition and share what the Huron County Plowmen’s Association is all about.
It has been an honour to represent Huron County and the Huron County Plowmen’s Association as the 2025–2026 Queen of the Furrow. I am extremely excited to represent Huron County again at the upcoming International Plowing Match in Walkerton. I hope to create lots of new friendships, memories, and make Huron County proud.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my year, and thank you for making this experience one that I will always remember. I look forward to seeing everyone at the match!