Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Infobox festival
festival_name = Royal Agricultural Winter Fair



caption = The Royal
location = Toronto, Ontario
years_active = 86
dates = early November
genre = winter agricultural fair
website = [http://www.royalfair.org]

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair or affectionately called The Royal is an annual fall fair in Toronto, Canada in the first two weeks of November. It is held at the Exhibition Place in early November of each year. Started in 1922 it was initially held at the Coliseum, but it is now also occupying the Direct Energy National Trade Centre. Today, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair remains an important exhibit for livestock breeders.

The fair's program consists of:

* rodeo
* IAMS Superdogs show - gol also appears at the Canadian National Exhibition in August
* Horse show
* wine, food and shopping
* Agricultural show

Members of the Canadian Royal Family have been guests of honour at the fair; Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada is the royal patron of the Fair.

History

The Royal Winter Fair is Canada's best known agricultural at the inter-provincial or national level. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ] Originally planned for 1921, the grand opening of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was delayed when a heating system could not be installed in time. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

The first show opened on Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds on Nov. 22, 1922 and, except for the years during World War II, has been held annually ever since. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ] Unlike many other fairs, the Royal is a purely agricultural show; it features no midway. Held in November after all other agricultural fairs have ended, it draws competitors from across Canada and around the world; at one recent show, over 60 countries were represented either as competitors or buyers. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

A showcase for the best of Canadian agricultural products and technologies, the Royal Winter Fair has grown exponentially over its three-quarters of century - from the first year, when it drew 17,000 entries from several provinces and the United States to its livestock competitions, to the 1996 Fair, when in excess of 325,000 attendees, including exhibitors, competitors, international visitors and members of the general public, visited. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

Show officials recount that last year's 12-day Fair, "over 3,000 head of cattle, 1,300 horses, 1,600 birds, 500 sheep, 300 goats and 300 pigs" were on display along with "world championship field crops, giant vegetables and many more agricultural products, educational exhibits and feature attractions". [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

For decades, agricultural exhibitions have provided a forum for farmers to display new equipment, discuss new trends and showcase their wares. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

www.royalfair.org

Changes

In 1965, the federal Department of Agriculture, a long-time sponsor, introduced significant changes. The number of livestock classes for each breed and the number of entries per breeder were reduced, new judging standards were set emphasizing the utility of the breed, buildings were modernized, and the Winter Garden Show and Horse Show assumed new prominence. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ] Part of the Fair since its opening, the Royal Horse Show is the third and final leg of the North American Fall Circuit and offers prizes money in excess of $525,000. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

A popular component of the Fair, Horse Show organizers say that "heavy horse hitches, coaching carriages, hackneys, road horses, hunters, jumpers, ponies and special features entertain 75,000 attending." [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ] The International Show Jumping Competition is a highlight of the competition.

Commemorative Stamp

To celebrates the 75th anniversary of Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Canada Post issued a commemorative stamp. Designed by Heather Lafleur of Gottschalk + Ash International with illustration by Shelagh Armstrong, the stamp features an array of livestock, produce, home-made goods and other farm-related wares presented against the backdrop of a packed arena at the Royal Horse Show, Canada's premier international indoor equestrian event. [ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

[ Canada Post Corporation, Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 6, No. 6, 1997, p. 12-15. ]

References

ee also

* List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage

External links

* [http://www.royalfair.org/ The Royal Winter Fair]
*Western Fair Museum and Archives