TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Tradition runs deep at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the Creighton family is part of the past, present and, hopefully, the future. Marvin Creighton Jr is the third generation to be involved with the horticulture section. In 1972, his grandfather Earl received a medal on the 50th anniversary of The Royal as one of the eight people participating in The Fair since its inception. Marvin Sr. was on the horticulture committee for many years and now his son is a member.
Marvin Jr says he is going to try to be here for the 100th anniversary of The Royal because that will mean his family will have been part of the show for a century. "That's only five years," he points out.
Marvin Jr is a market gardener in Waterdown, ON, and he won the Woodville Farms Award for the heaviest cabbage. "I just went out into the field and pulled the largest cabbage," he says about the vegetable that weighed in at 18 lbs 2 oz.
"Mentioning The Royal brings tears to my eyes," Creighton says. "It's important to be part of The Royal. It's good to be recognized in the world of farming."
Marvin Jr remembers his grandfather's entries to the fair – large displays of a variety of vegetables that would later be purchased by grocery stores.
"There was a time when I was exhibiting and my grandfather was the judge!" he recalls.
As a member of the horticulture committee, Marvin Jr is trying to come up with ways to encourage more young people or city gardeners to enter the horticulture classes at The Royal. He believes it is important to remind people that vegetables are an agricultural commodity along with the cattle, sheep and pigs.
Marvin says he doesn't know if any of his three children will continue the family tradition of involvement with The Royal but, since he's not ready to retire for a few years, there's still time.
About The Royal:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 95th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 3 - 12, 2017 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.
The Royal is supported in part by the Province of Ontario and City of Toronto.
SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Karen Poncelet, Marketing Communications and Community Relations Manager, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, 39 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Direct: 416-263-3411, Fax: 416-263-3488
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