François Latour has been planning this attempt on a Guinness World Record since 2020 and would like a large audience to be able to witness their success. Courtesy Photo
ST. ALBERT – Residents and visitors will have the chance to witness a unique piece of history later this month when St. Albert hosts an official Guinness World Records attempt on Aug. 22.
Organizers hope to set a new record for the most plow blades pulled simultaneously, an event that has been years in the making.
The idea was first conceived in 2020 by St. Albert resident François Latour, with support from Juliette Forgues-Latour. The original goal was to assemble the world’s largest gathering of plowmen, but organizers later shifted their focus to creating a record for the greatest number of plow blades operating at the same time.
The attempt will take place at 1776 Route 700 West in St. Albert on property generously provided by Marc and Ghislain Laflèche.
If successful, the demonstration will see 80 plow blades cutting through the soil at once – the equivalent of 40 two-furrow plows working together. The equipment will be pulled by six restored tractors dating from the 1970s, representing John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Ford, White, Case and International.
An official Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on site to verify the attempt.
The record bid is being held as part of the Clarence-Rockland (Russell) Plowing Match, but organizers say visitors don’t need to know anything about farming to enjoy the day.
In addition to the record attempt, the event will feature square dancing tractors from St. Albert with performances at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., live evening entertainment by Les Rats de S’wompe, horse-drawn wagon rides, a hay bale maze, face painting, go-karts, a 500-piece puzzle competition for two-person teams, a lawn tractor pull and a variety of displays, exhibitors and vendors.
The event will also include demonstrations of antique machinery and equipment, as well as traditional plowing competitions and working displays.
The event will be held rain or shine. Admission is $20 for adults, while children 12 and under are admitted free.
Latour said the event has only been possible because of the efforts of dozens of volunteers who have spent years planning the ambitious undertaking. Organizers are hoping a large crowd will be on hand to witness what they hope will become a new world record.
More information is available at guinnessplow2026.com, on the event’s Facebook page, Guinness Largest Plow 2026, or by contacting François Latour at 613-720-1845.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
