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Here’s what’s happening at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this year

TORONTO, October 6, 2023 – The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is underway at Toronto’s Exhibition Place from November 3-12, 2023. In its 101st year, The Royal is offering up a new and refreshed slate of programming designed to showcase the very best in Canadian agriculture, food and equestrian competitions.

Helping build excitement for this year’s Fair will be the event’s newly crowned Royal Ambassador, a Polled Dorset yearling ewe named Kay. Only a year and a half old, Kay is no stranger to The Royal. She made her first appearance at the event in 2022 winning Reserve Champion in the Royal Sheep Show. Alongside her Ambassador duties, Kay will be returning to compete in this year’s Fair. Kay is owned by Ridgetown Ontario’s Brien family – descendants of J.D Brien, one of the founding members of the Fair.

In her role, Kay will make special appearances in the lead-up to the 2023 Fair, and welcome guests on-site throughout the 10-day event.

“The countdown to The Royal has officially begun,” said Katie Brown, Director, Marketing & Communications, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “We’re incredibly excited by the new and updated programming we have in store for the 2023 Royal and can’t wait to welcome competitors and exhibitors from across Canada and around the world to Exhibition Place this November.”

Programming highlights for the 2023 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair include:

FREE Mechanical Bull Rides! Come ride the mechanical bull at the Fair open each day from 11:00 am-5:30 pm.
The Petting Farm Returns. The Royal is proud to be partnering with Triple C Farm to provide a hands-on, animal experience for guests.
Champion Buttertarts! Sample champion buttertarts with judging on opening day (Nov 3).
Teacher Preview Day. Teachers are invited to preview the Fair on Sunday, November 5. Free admission for teachers who have pre-paid for a class visit. Subsidies and support for select schools are available, inquire if your school qualifies at schoolgroups@royalfair.org.
Polo comes to The Royal. Polo will join the horse show schedule on November 7 in the Coca- Cola Coliseum.
Sustainability Takes Centre Stage. Step into a realm of green innovation at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s Sustainability Zone, including Second Harvest, Live Green Toronto and Ontario Beekeepers’ Association.
Immersive Dairy Farming Experience. Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s Dairy Education Centre is back. Guests can get an up-close view of dairy cow care, dairy calves, and the entire milking process.
All new for 2023 “Battle of the Breeds.” New for this year spectators will have the opportunity to cheer for their favourite horse breed who will go head-to-head demonstrating their various qualities during the evening performances on November 9, 10, and 11.
The Royal Horse Show. Ranked as the #1 indoor horse show in North America and #3 in the world, The CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show will continue to host international show jumping highlighted by the Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Toronto on closing night. Offering more than $1 million in prize money, this year’s Royal will also mark the debut of Great Britain’s Kelvin Bywater as show jumping course designer for national and international competition.
The Return of Guy McLean. In addition to the exciting Royal Horse Show competition, Royal fans will be thrilled with the return of Guy McLean, last seen in Toronto in 2018. The popular Australian horseman, entertainer and bush poet will be performing with his team of liberty horses during select Royal Horse Show performances.
More SuperDogs Than Ever Before. The Royal’s Animal Theatre will host this crowd-favourite show multiple times a day, every day, providing fans with more opportunities than ever to see the Global Pet Foods SuperDogs in action.
National Agricultural Shows, Including a New Alpaca Competition. There will be a new breed in The Royal barns this year. Alpaca Ontario is bringing an alpaca show back to The Royal ring on the Fair’s final Sunday. National shows for beef and dairy breeds will be also held throughout the 10-day event, along with 4-H cattle competitions, while small livestock shows will feature various championships and 4-H youth competing for top honours. Plus new this year the Speckle Park Show: a Canadian beef breed. AND the return of The Royal Poultry Show.
Exclusive Merchandise Through The Royal Paddock. There are some incredible new items coming to The Royal’s online store, The Royal Paddock, including meticulously designed saddle pads crafted by Ogilvy, a new On-the-Move Belt Bag and UPF Icon Polo and Mock Neck Riding Shirt. Check out all the exciting Royal Merchandise at royalpaddock.org.
Outstanding Culinary Offerings. Celebrity chef and Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Board Member Michael Bonacini has helped curate a food program at the Fair that is sure to delight. Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to get hands-on at the Burnbrae Farms Culinary Academy, featuring notable chefs teaching their favourite recipes and highlighting amazing local ingredients. NEW beer and wine sponsors, Side Launch has signed on as the official Beer Partner of The Royal, with official Wine Partner Dark Horse.