One-Tank Trip for
Nov. 3/12
(c) By Jim Fox
Here a moo, there a
moo, everywhere a moo moo along with a few neighs, snorts and a whinny
means it’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair time.
 |
| A first-prize winning Holstein at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair |
The venerable fair,
now marking its 90th year, brings the country to the city big time now through
Nov. 11 at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
This annual down-on-the-farm
treat is billed as the “world's largest combined indoor agricultural and
equestrian show.”
And, if big veggies
are your thing, such as massive pumpkins and squashes, this is the place.
 |
| Giant pumpkins and squashes such as these at the Norfolk County Fair will be on view and judged at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. (Jim Fox photo) |
Rural roots are showing
It all began in
1922 with a small group of farmers eager to catch-up with each other after the
busy fall harvest.
Since then, the Royal
has grown into Canada's premier event for showcasing the best in agricultural
products and innovations, adding a top-rate horse show, dog show and other
diverse entertainment along the way.
This year includes equestrian Olympians, appearances
by culinary celebrities in competition and a pub crawl tonight (Nov. 3) led by Thirsty
Traveller show host Kevin Brauch.
“We encourage
families to visit the animal and farm fun, and harvest exhibits during the day
but also invite those parents – and all adults – back to the Royal to explore
the shopping, restaurants and nightlife,” said ceo Sandra Banks.
Children will be “in
constant awe” of the animals from ponies to piglets along with rabbit jumping
that sees “bunnies bounding over significant heights,” she added.
 |
| Look at that chick and other critters at the fair in Toronto |
Similar to
something out of Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift's satirical
novel first published in 1726, are the one-tonne pumpkins and eggplant, big
beets and gigantic turnips in competition for the biggest of the big.
Cooks, cocktails and aggies
The annual Royal Chef
Challenge is now a multi-day event with the Food Network’s Bob Blumer the host on
Sunday (Nov. 4).
Padma Lakshmi of
TV’s Top Chef hosted the opening-night challenge and a wine tasting on Friday.
Using ingredients
from the fair's prize-winning list of local products, the challenge final is on
Nov. 10 hosted by Australian chef Curtis Stone of Around the World in 80 Plates.
 |
| Celebrity chef and cookbook author Curtis Stone hosts the Royal Chef Challenge final |
Toronto chefs
taking part include Roberto Fracchioni of the Templar Hotel; Duff Lampard, Westin
Harbour Castle Hotel; Bruno Lopez, Ritz Carlton; Robert Mills of the Thompson
Hotel; Kevin Prendergast, Hilton Hotel; and Colin Thornton of the Royal York.
Rounding out the culinary
events, Blumer and Brauch host the Royal Mixology Competition on Nov. 5 with
participants vying to create the finest cocktail using local ingredients.
“The livestock and
agricultural competitions – such as the beef and dairy cattle shows and the
giant vegetables – remain at the core of the Royal and continue to draw in huge
crowds eager to see real farm life up close,” said publicist Tiffany Fisher.
Giddy-up
 |
| Ride ‘em cowboy at the rodeo at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair |
The Royal Rodeo,
hosted by Amber Marshall of the Canadian TV drama Heartland, is on Sunday (Nov.
4) and features barrel racing and bronc, bareback and bull riding.
There will be performances
by the Canadian Cowgirls, an elite precision drill team, “that will dazzle the
audience with their daring and dangerous manoeuvers.”
Called the “most
prestigious and important indoor equestrian event in North America,” the Royal
Horse Show features world-renowned riders competing in Olympic disciplines.
These include show
jumping, dressage as well as the Royal's indoor events in the Ricoh Coliseum.
There is also the
SuperDogs show that draws huge crowds to see the dancing and daredevil canines
with several performances daily.
Enjoy sampling some
tasty treats at the Journey to Your Good Health pavilion with an abundant
bounty of locally grown food and learn the latest trends in “functional foods
and innovation.”
Still hungry? The
fair’s menus feature local delights at the Royal Court restaurant, Tanbark Club
and the Hitching Ring Cafe and Bar.
Need to know
The Royal is Exhibition Place, 100
Princes’ Blvd., Toronto.
It opens daily at 9
a.m. and closes at 9 p.m., except Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. and the final day Nov. 11 at
6 p.m.
Admission is $20;
$16, seniors, 60 plus, and ages five to 17 (younger children, free); $44,
family pass, two adults, two children. Horse show tickets are from $38 to $57
and include admission to the fair. www.royalfair.org; (416) 263-3400
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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