It is the second year in a row that Athy has been chosen as the site for the huge autumn rural festival, which attracts almost 200,000 visitors annually.
Anna May McHugh of the National Ploughing Association said the current rainfall is welcome as ground conditions were very hard for ploughing. But she said she hoped the three-day event, beginning 21 September, will be rain-free.
Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said the Government was very supportive of the farming festival, which he said is Ireland's largest outdoor agricultural event.
The 700-acre ploughing site is located in one of the best tillage belts in the country.
26 competitors from 13 countries will plough in the European events.
During the three days 25,000 steaks will be eaten on site, as well as 20 tonnes of Irish produced burgers, sausages and bacon.
6,000 litres of tomato ketchup will be consumed, 12,000 litres of milk and 200,000 gallons of water.
Supt Pat Kavanagh said last year's successful garda traffic plan will again be in operation, but he appealed to visitors to plan their journey, travel early and to drive carefully.
