The quintessential Canadian experience is back at Toronto’s Exhibition Place with updated culinary offerings and two new Royal Ambassadors.
September 16, 2024 [Toronto, ON] - The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair will return to Toronto’s Exhibition Place from November 1-10, 2024, celebrating the best in Canadian agriculture, local food and equestrian competitions. In addition to returning classics like the family-friendly Royal Rodeo presented by Ontario Ford Dealers and Global Pet Foods SuperDogs, the 2024 event will welcome a number of new and refreshed culinary experiences.
A highlight of this year’s food programming is The Chef’s Table, presented by Milk, offering daily cooking classes throughout the Fair. For only $20, participants will learn tips and tricks from the best in the business - and will prepare and enjoy a delicious meal. For a more elevated experience, The Royal is launching an all-new Dinner Series, with four exclusive dinners and one brunch throughout the Fair. The Dinner Series offers guests a multi-course dining experience complete with elevated wine pairings and curated cocktails to accompany the expertly crafted menu by top chefs focusing on sustainability, seasonality, and local food producers. Dinner series chefs include Michael Bonacini of Oliver & Bonacini, Albert Ponzo of The Royal Edwin County Farms, Coulson Armstong of Prime Seafood Palace, Jason Bangerter of Langdon Hall and Donna Dooher of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen.
Helping share the story of The Royal are Dawson and Pacey, the two alpacas named the 2024 Royal Ambassadors. The two charismatic alpacas hail from All In Alpacas, owned by Derek and Lindsay Stoltz and their teenage daughters in Rockwood, Ontario. The Stolz family's connection to farming runs deep; Lindsay Stoltz chaired the inaugural “Royal Alpaca Show” at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2023.
Dawson and Pacey will make special appearances in the lead-up to the 2024 Fair, and welcome guests on-site throughout the 10-day event.
“This is the 102nd edition of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and Fair fans will find so much of what they know and love at this year’s event - from the Petting Farm to the SuperDogs to Spirit of the Horse,” said Cyrus Cooper, who was named Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair earlier this year. “But we’re also always looking at opportunities to innovate, and ways to engage Canadians who may have never been to The Royal before - and there’s a lot of that at this year’s event.”
Notable programming at the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair will include:
• The Royal Horse Show. Ranked as the #1 indoor horse show in North America, The Royal will continue to host international show jumping, including the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto on closing night. As the official host for the National Championship competitions for the hunter/jumper disciplines, The Royal is proud to offer a proving ground for Canada’s next generation of superstars as they vie to be selected for team competitions, representing Canada on the international stage.
• New! - Royal Dinner Series. Join some of Canada’s top chefs for an elevated dining experience with multi-course meals that focus on sustainable, seasonal, local food. . Dinner series chefs include Michael Bonacini of Oliver & Bonacini, Albert Ponzo of The Royal Edwin County Farms, Coulson Armstong of Prime Seafood Palace, Jason Bangerter of Langdon Hall and Donna Dooher of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. These intimate chef’s table dinners will take place on the evening of November 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th, with an exclusive brunch on the morning of November 10th.
• SuperDogs are back. The Royal’s Animal Theatre will host this crowd-favourite show multiple times a day, offering more opportunities than ever to see the Global Pet Foods SuperDogs in action. Plus, during the K-9 Equine Challenge on November 9, the Global Pet Foods Superdogs will be paired with top horses and riders in a family-friendly challenge that will delight audiences.
• The Royal Rodeo presented by Ontario Ford Dealers returns for double the fun, featuring Amber Marshall. Fan favourite Royal Rodeo is a sell-out event that audiences love, now with double the excitement - two thrilling rodeos presented by Ontario Ford Dealers that will close out The Royal like never before. Feature competitions include saddle bronc riding, pole bending and fastest barrel racers in town, topped off with the thrill of bull riding, the action is nonstop. The fun all takes place on Sunday, November 10, with qualifiers kicking off at 11:00 am and Amber Marshall as guest emcee in the 2:00 pm Royal Rodeo Final
• National Agricultural Shows. In addition to giant pumpkins and vegetable competitions, the Royal will also host national shows for beef and dairy breeds, 4-H cattle competitions, and small livestock shows featuring various championships and 4-H youth competing for top honours. New for 2024 is a Sheep Supreme Championship and Alpaca Show Costume Class.
• Hands-On Family Fun. Attendees can get up close and personal with animals at the Royal Petting Farm presented with Triple C Farm, or test their skills in the mechanical bull with new interactive “Learn To Lasso” programming. Learn where your food comes from at the Farm to Table Discovery Zone including the Dairy Education Centre presented by Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
• More Vendors Than Ever Before. There will be more than 100 new retail vendors across the Fair floor, and the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion will host over 45 small Northern Ontario Agri-businesses - a must-visit destination at The Royal.
Tickets to the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair are on sale now at royalfair.org.
About The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. Now in its 102nd year, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair takes place every November at Exhibition Place, in the City of Toronto and celebrates the best in agriculture, local food, and equestrian competitions from across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.royalfair.org/