One-Tank Trip
for Nov. 4/17
(c) By Jim Fox
(Postmedia Network/Sun Media)
There are more
animals than at Old MacDonald’s Farm as the country has come to the big city
for the next week.
Yes, there’s a moo,
moo here, oink, oink there along with a quack, quack, neigh, neigh, baa, baa
and cluck, cluck at the 95th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
It’s time to get
your boots polished and saddle up for the big show this weekend through Nov. 12
at Exhibition Place.
 |
| Ride ‘em cowboy at
the Royal’s rodeo on Nov. 12. (Photos by Ben Radvanyi) |
“Since
its humble beginnings 95 years ago, the Royal has grown into a beloved Toronto
tradition and an arena of excellence for culinary arts, agriculture and equine
sport,” said Charlie Johnstone, chief executive officer.
There are
“top chefs and food producers offering the best in the farm-to-table movement,”
along with decorated Olympian equestrians competing for a place on the Royal podium,
he added.
It’s an
aggie fair unlike any other with more than 2,000 agricultural competitions
featuring 5,000 animals, artisan cheeses, Ontario wines,
giant vegetables, butter sculpting and more.
 |
| Add caption |
Animals are the big
draw, including the equestrian competitions and performing dogs:
- Dairy cattle: The
National Ayrshire, Red and White Holstein and Jersey shows will take place in
the new Ring of Excellence.
There will be the 4-H Dairy
Classic, youth show and National Black and White Holstein show at the
Ricoh Coliseum.
- Sheep and wool: The
Royal welcomes 400 sheep with eight special breeds – Suffolk, Oxford,
Lincoln, Texel, North County Cheviot, Southdown, Hampshire and Dorsets.
- Poultry,
waterfowl and fancy birds: See 50 different breeds of standard poultry,
48 bantams, 40 pigeons and 34 breeds of waterfowl competing.
 |
| Get up close to goats and other critters at the Royal |
- Goats: Check out 250 goats
competing in 13 divisions while the Youth Goat show has pee wee, junior,
intermediate and senior divisions.
- Rabbits and
cavies (guinea pigs): They’re fun, cute and kids love them, with more than 100 different
selections of breeds.
There are several
classes showcasing wool and garments made of angora wool and other natural fibers.
Giddyup
The Royal Horse Show, held in
conjunction with the fair, hosts 1,000 competitors and offers $1 million in
prize money.
International show
jumping athletes perform in the World Cup competition.
 |
| Kent Farrington of the U.S., the top show-jumping athlete in the world, is competing at the Royal Horse Show. |
This
includes Olympians Kent Farrington and McLain Ward, ranked first and third in
the world, respectively.
The Canadian
Show Jumping Championship has the best including 12-time winner and defending champion
Ian Millar of Perth.
A rodeo and
the K-9 Equine Relay featuring the SuperDogs are family favourites returning
this year.
Birds of
prey are a new event with a series of
daily hawk and owl demonstrations to “thrill fairgoers and illustrate
the relationship between farmers and their feathery friends.”
 |
| Horses and riders in a ceremonial parade |
Learn
about the “ongoing legacy of innovation in Ontario agriculture and food”
at an exhibit produced in association with the University of Guelph.
Along with cooking
demonstrations, there’s an introduction to world food with samplings and the
Farm-to-Table Discovery Zone to meet beekeepers, find out how greenhouses work and
take a virtual reality tour of a dairy farm.
There are
many opportunities and facilities to wine, dine and unwind with several
restaurants and a food court and savouring award-winning craft beer, cider and
wine.
If you go
Show hours are Sunday
(Nov. 5), 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Nov. 12, 9
a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $27.50,
adults; $20, seniors; $16, ages four to 17; $60, family pass for four. Seniors
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are $17; adults after 4 p.m., Monday to
Thursday, $16.
More information: royalfair.org;
(416) 263-3400
Horse show tickets
include general admission, with prices varying by performance. Details: royalfair.org/horseshow.html
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment