Opening Night for the 80th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Source :  Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Join Royal Agricultural Winter Fair president Don Rickard and special guests the Honorable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Danielle Wetherup, Master of the Royal Canadian Mint at the official opening of the 80th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm in the Coliseum.

This year’s Opening Ceremonies will celebrate the past, present and future of the Royal. A parade featuring cows and sheep being led by Canada’s most venerable farmers whose families have shown at the Royal for generations will make its way through the Coliseum. Wagons pulled by heavy horses will be laden with giant vegetables, produce and caged poultry. A Shetland pony cart will be transformed with a lush display of flowers. Indigenous Canadian show dogs will be featured in the parade. The opening ceremonies will also include a tribute to both the Canadian equestrian team of today and our ’68 gold medal team. Equestrian representatives from nine countries will be saluted in the ceremony.

Don Rickard will officially open The Royal in a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Honorable James K. Bartleman and Madam Wetherup.

Madam Wetherup will also welcome the national and international riders into the Coliseum as they compete in the inaugural Royal Canadian Mint Open at 9:00 pm. The rider with the fastest time and the least number of faults on this technically challenging course will be crowned the Royal Canadian Mint Open champion.

Celebrate the 80th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the world's largest indoor combined agricultural, horticultural, canine and equestrian event, for 10-days of country sights and sounds from November 8 to 17, 2002, National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place. A Canadian tradition since 1922, the Royal is a showcase of the very best in agriculture, horticulture and equestrian sport and a rare opportunity to experience a taste of rural life.