Learn about the most famous agricultural shows of the world.
Agriculture Show # 1. Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Canada):
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, colloquially called The Royal, is an annual fall fair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which takes place over two weeks in November. Inaugurated in 1922, and originally housed in the Coliseum, on the grounds of Exhibition Place, the event has expanded to also take up the Direct Energy National Trade Centre, and remains an important exhibit for livestock breeders. Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, is the fair’s royal patron.
History:
The original plans called for the first mounting of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to take place in 1921, but this was delayed when a heating system for the Coliseum could not be installed in time. The first show thus opened on 22 November 1922, drawing to its livestock competitions 17,000 entries from several provinces and the United States.
The fair then, save for the years when Canada was embroiled in the Second World War, consistently provided for farmers a forum to display equipment, discuss new trends, and showcase wares. Members of the Canadian Royal Family have also been guests of honour at the fair.
In 1965, significant changes were introduced by the federal Department of Agriculture, which had been a long time sponsor of the Royal. Both the number of livestock classes for each breed and the number of entries per breeder were reduced; new judging standards were set, emphasising the utility of the breed; buildings were renovated; and the Winter Garden Show and Horse Show were given more prominence, the latter attracting some 75,000 viewers in the mid-1990s.
By 1996, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair as a whole saw over 325,000 attendees, exhibitors, and international and local visitors, and there was accounted for – “over 3,000 head of cattle, 1,300 horses, 1,600 birds, 500 sheep, 300 goats and 300 pigs” were on display along with “world championship field crops, giant vegetables and many more agricultural products, educational exhibits and feature attractions.” The following year, for the fair’s 75th anniversary, a commemorative stamp was issued by Canada Post.
Programme:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is Canada’s most prominent agricultural event within both the provincial and national scopes. Its mandate is predominantly trade-related, featuring wine and food shopping as well as the livestock, machinery, and foodstuffs displays. Entertainment includes a rodeo, horse show, and dog show, although there is no midway.
Agriculture Show # 2. Royal New Zealand Show:
The Royal New Zealand Show, first held in 1924, is an annual agricultural show held by the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, an umbrella organization for agricultural and pastoral associations in New Zealand. The show was formerly held in rotation at Palmerston North, Hawke’s Bay, Hamilton, Invercargill and Christchurch.
Starting in 2006, the show was hosted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch; this ended in 2010, inclusive.
Agriculture Show # 3. Cloone Agricultural Show (Ireland):
On August Bank Holiday Monday Cloone’s Annual Agricultural Show will take place in the Show Grounds on the Ballinamore road. Since its inception in 1988 Cloone show has grown to become one of the premier agriculture shows in the west of Ireland.
With its huge variety of classes and attractions there is sure to be something for everyone at this year’s show. At Cloone Show you will see rural Ireland showcased in the most traditional way in the picturesque surroundings of Co. Leitrim.
Agriculture Show # 4. Castlerea Agricultural Trade & Craft Show (Ireland):
The Castlerea Agricultural Trade & Craft Show committee is currently preparing for our 2010 Show which will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 2nd 2010. Once again our main sponsor is Cahill’s SuperValu. Proprietor Anthony Cahill was one of the core organizing committee members when the Show was reintroduced in1995 after a lapse of many years and has remained a loyal supporter since then.
2009 Show—regretfully, our 2009 event fell victim to the adverse weather conditions which also disrupted quite a number of Shows throughout the country. The economic downturn over the past two years has also had a negative impact on a wide range of voluntary organizations that depend on the goodwill of a thriving business community as well as the support of the general public.
Nevertheless it is more important now than ever that we work together so that we can face into these difficult times with a sense of confidence in ourselves and our community.
2010 Show and looking to the future—We are planning an event that will reflect the very best of what is produced in the fields, the farms and the gardens locally. Farmers in this corner of North West Roscommon have a fine and proud tradition in producing the best quality produce.
Indeed Castlerea Co-Operative Mart, who generously provide the Show venue, has been a vital component for two generations of farmers, in facilitating the sale of high quality produce and the Mart has a richly deserved reputation within the trade as a dependable source of the best quality animals that Irish beef & sheep farming can produce.
Benefits for the community—the benefits derived from amenity horticulture or gardening are well known. Fresh air, exercise and fresh vegetables for the table are but a small return. If you nurse your veggies and fruit and bring them to the Castlerea Show in August you might take home a hoard of riches in prize money. This year our Show will reflect the best of home produce. For those who fret about the pets, we will have the finest of canine and feline creatures strutting their stuff.
“A grand day out”—In the run up to the Show on August 2nd, the organizing committee of Castlerea International Rose Festival will literally paint the streets with music, song and dance. Rose Festival week has now been well established as the premier community festival in the country. Castlerea has something for everyone at any time of year but in summer-time it is fun time for all.
Agriculture Show # 5. La Rural (Argentina):
La Exposition Rural (in English: The Rural Exhibition), is an annual agricultural and livestock show held in the Palermo section of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event is organised by La Sociedad Rural Argentina (in English – The Argentine Rural Society) and both the Exhibition and the Society are known locally as La Rural.
The exhibition has taken place in the society’s Santa Fe Avenue exhibition centre and fairground, each year in July since 1886. Primarily a farming show, breeders arrive from all over the country to exhibit their livestock, particularly cattle.
It became a major feature of the porteno social scene in prosperous Argentina, taking place in Buenos Aires’ most exclusive neighbourhood and accompanied by balls and other events. However, with the onset of the country’s economic crisis towards the end of the 20th century, the event lost some of its vitality, although it is still popular with visitors. In 2005, 715,000 people visited the exhibition, which had almost 400 stands and 4,000 animals.
The Society was founded on 10 July 1866 by Eduardo Olivera and Jose Martinez de Hoz with the motto ‘To cultivate the soil is to serve the country’, and was formally known as ‘El Solar de Palermo’. Built in the 1870s, the Society’s showground features a Belle Epoque stadium and a modern exhibition hall.
During the rest of the year, the exhibition hall is used for other events including trade shows. The Opera Pampa organises shows in the stadium, showcasing the history of Argentina with zamba dances and an asado in the dining rooms. With over 10,000 members, the Society has branch offices in many parts of the country.
Agriculture Show # 6. Expointer (Brazil):
Expointer is an agricultural show with national importance in Brazil that occurs every year in the Parque de Exposigoes Assis Brazil in the city of Esteio, in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is considered the largest livestock show in Latin America. The first edition occurred on February 24 in 1901, in Porto Alegre.
In 2004 the fair received a record public of 720 thousand people.
Agriculture Show # 7. Paris International Agricultural Show (France):
Paris International Agricultural Show is one of the world’s largest and most important agricultural shows, drawing larger crowds than any other exposition in Paris except the Foire de Paris. This annual fair takes place end of February or beginning of March at the Porte de Versailles in Paris, France.
This event was first held in 1870 as the Concours general agricole, its name changed in 1964, but the Concours still exists and is one of the main attractions of the fair.