The country takes on the city at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
Annually, every November since 1922, Canadian farmers, growers, producers, and homesteaders gather to sell, compete, and exhibit their best agricultural products and livestock. The fair is a celebration as much as it is a competition, celebrating Canada’s best in farming, offering a ton of home-grown fun, food, and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
The Royal Fair is also the largest indoor international equestrian competition, drawing in breeders and exhibitors from around the globe that travel to Toronto to compete to be named Royal Champion! The Royal Horse Show attracts Olympians and other top calibre riders and horses that compete at the highest level in Show Jumping, Indoor Eventing, and Dressage.
Now you may be thinking, I’m a city-dweller, what would a country fair have to offer me? Well let me tell you… the fair is definitely not just for those who love the country, it’s for everyone! Here’s why YOU should hit up the fair this weekend.
The Petting Zoo
Who doesn’t love petting zoos? Especially those with llamas and goats! Snap adorable pictures feeding and petting the livestock at the Pizza Pizza Petting Zoo.
Hold on to your paper feeding cups though, these guys are sneaky and will try and grab it right out of your hands!
The Vendors
There are a tons of great Canadian-made products to shop from at the fair. From cute and unique Holiday goodies and gifts, to home decor and knickknacks, to equestrian equipment, cowboy boots and buckles, the vendors offer all the country goods you could desire.
Canada has some of the best homegrown food there is to offer. From cheeses, baked goods, syrups, dairy products, and veggies, you’ll browse through all the different food shops, tasting as you go, and indulging in some of Canada’s most delicious goodies. The smell of cinnabons, butter tarts, and apple pie being baked fresh is reason enough to go! There are also restaurants and bars set up so you can grab a beer or a glass of wine and relax in between activities and shows.
Superdogs!
There are tons of great animal entertainment shows featured at the fair but my favourite had to be Superdogs! Watching all the pups perform their highly impressive super tricks is great entertainment for all ages. The show has been around for 40 years, which is a long time for a theatrical production. The dogs have been the subject of television specials, inspiration for feature films, and appeared on hundreds of television shows. It is a fast-paced, interactive, heart-warming and hilarious stunt-dog show that will have you feeling good and smiling the whole way through.
The Royal Horse Show
It’s North America’s #1 indoor equestrian event. Watch high performance Show Jumping, Indoor Eventing and Dressage competitions from top level athletes competition to be named the Royal Champion.
So if you’re looking for something different to do this weekend, throw on your cowboy boots, your favourite plaid shirt, and take a trip to the country right in the heart of the city by heading to the Royal Winter Fair for it’s closing weekend!
You can purchase tickets online here.
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