The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has a special place in my family’s heart. We have been going for years, since my sister and I were babies, and have kept the tradition going strong for many years.
I will admit that I haven’t been to The Royal in a hot minute – my mom and sister have been consistent with their Royal endeavours, but the main reason I stopped going for a few years was that I found many of the vendors The Royal was bringing in, for a period, had nothing to do with farming, and were instead consumeristic-oriented for the newest and trending products. I hate shopping, hence why I maintained an extended absence, but I did end up going this year because my Dad signed himself and me up to act as spokespeople for Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO), who we produce our own birds with.
My dad certainly held down the fort to a further extent than I did, but I was there alongside him, on and off, throughout the day. Our main purpose was to answer questions proposed by children attending The Royal, and it was a wonderful experience, seeing youth having both interest and passion in the agricultural industry. My dad and I remarked how impressed we were with some of the questions presented by kids, and it was a thoroughly rewarding experience.
Seeing as my dad mainly manned the CFO booth, I was able to walk around with my mom and sister and explore the vendors. We avoided the ‘shopping’ areas of the premises and instead focused our attention towards booths offering agriculture-oriented information and products, and overall, the day was a highlight for me considering I don’t get out much.
If you’ve never visited The Royal, regardless if you’re involved in agriculture, I do recommend going. Chances are you’re going to enjoy it.
Photo by Kirsten LaChance on Unsplash
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