Toronto saddles up for annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
The 94th annual Royal returns to Exhibition Place November 4-13, 2016 bringing the finest in food, agriculture and equine competition to Toronto
TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - The big city is about to get a little country when The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair opens its doors to the public on November 4. The Royal has been the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian fair since 1922. Whether your passion is prize-winning cattle, goats, sheep or pigs, the best in agriculture, local food and beer or equestrian competitors from around the globe, this year's event offers something fun and exciting for everyone.
"The Royal is a spectacle, a celebration and a stage for competition among the best of what Canada offers the rest of the world," said Charlie Johnstone, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. "From Olympic champions who strive for show jumping perfection to farmers who proudly compete to be recognized as the country's best in agriculture, visitors are guaranteed an immersion in a truly amazing, not to mention, fun and educational experience."
A perennial favourite for nearly a century, The Royal enjoyed more than 300,000 visits in 2015. This year's program features more than 5,000 animals including 800 horses and thousands more head of livestock all competing for the coveted title of "Royal Champion."
What's new and noteworthy for 2016?
Boots and Hearts music showcase: The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Boots and Hearts Music Festival have partnered to bring up-and-coming Canadian country music stars to this year's event. The winner of the 2016 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase, Vanessa Marie Carter, along with two finalists, Jesse Gold and Robyn Ottolini, will perform live Saturday, November 12 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Check The Royal site for details.
The Royal Dinner: Michael Bonacini, renowned chef and co-founder of the esteemed Oliver & Bonacini restaurant group, will host a farm-to-table, exclusive dining experience on November 6 on the terrace of the Royal Horse Show in the Ricoh Coliseum. Ticketholders can enjoy a Royal Horse Show matinee followed by a four course meal featuring the finest ingredients and wines and spirits sourced from Royal competitors. Check The Royal website after October 14 for full details.
Ring of Excellence: This year, visitors can expect an even better viewing experience as a substantial investment has been made to the Ring of Excellence, The Royal's main livestock show ring. The Ring has increased in size by 25 per cent and will include premium show suites, full hospitality capabilities and more general seating. State-of-the-art digital capacities will enable livestreaming, delivering The Royal to a global audience.
Road House Barn Dance: Fair-goers are invited to kick-up their boots and join country music stars, the Colt Walker band, in The Royal's brand new Ring of Excellence for the first-ever Royal Barn Dance on Wednesday, November 9 from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Click here for more details.
The Royal classics:
Excellence in Food and Lifestyle:
The Royal Wine Competition, the Canadian Craft Beer and Ontario Cider Awards are just a few of the exciting events happening at The Royal.
If fabulous cuisine is more your scene, check out the fourth annual Egg Farmers of Ontario Road to the Royal Chef Challenge. The Chef's Challenge is the culmination of six events across Ontario that served as qualifiers for the final challenge. The Royal will host the semi-final and final rounds. On Sunday, November 6, The Royal will host internationally acclaimed chefs from Ireland, New York City and Toronto for the Royal International Invitational Chef Challenge. Finally, support the next generation of top-chefs by going to the second annual The Royal High School Chef Competition. More food and lifestyle event info can be found here.
Excellence in Horsemanship:
What visit to The Royal is complete without taking in North America's number one indoor equestrian event? From Olympic Gold medalists Nick Skelton and Big Star of Great Britain and Michael Jung of Germany, competing in Show Jumping and Indoor Eventing respectively to the enchanting Sylvia Zerbini and her Arabian Horses, the Royal Horse Show is spectacular sport and entertainment.
For more about the Olympians participating in The Royal or details on the Royal Horse Show, including the Longines FEI World Cup™, click here.
Excellence in Entertainment:
Royal favourite, Turbo the Goat is back and for the first time ever, he will be available to personally greet fans throughout The Royal. Guests can have their picture taken with this livestock legend. In addition to photos and his daily performances at the President's Choice Animal Theatre, Turbo will be tracking his journey to The Royal on his own twitter feed, #twitter.com/turbo_goat.
Where have all the cowboys gone? To The Royal, of course. See real cowboys in action at the Ontario Toyota Dealers Rodeo as the country's finest bull, saddle bronc and bareback riders and barrel racers complete for best in show. To learn more about Turbo and the other entertainment options at The Royal, click here.
Funding support for The Royal has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org
About The Royal:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 94th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November, 4-13, 2016 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For more information, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/
SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Media Contacts: Carla Maggiotto, Senior Consultant, Media Profile, [email protected] / 416-342-1829; Ginger Shewell, Senior Consultant, Media Profile, [email protected] / 416-342-1802
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