This past weekend, I had the great pleasure of visiting the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. It's one of those annual events that reminds you just how much Ontario's agricultural roots remain an important part of who we are, even when we're surrounded by skyscrapers, traffic and the hustle and bustle of city life.
For me, a visit to the Royal is always a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Ontario's farm life, catch up on a little country culture and, of course, enjoy some spectacular horsemanship.
There is something quite remarkable about watching these magnificent horses and their riders perform. The skill, discipline and hours of practice are extraordinary. I suspect the horses know they're the stars of the show, although I'm not entirely convinced they always follow the same script as their riders. After all, it's difficult to argue with an animal that weighs 1,200 pounds!
One of my favourite stops is always the youth animal judging competitions. I particularly enjoy watching the young people proudly presenting the cows, sheep and goats they have raised and cared for.
You can see just how much these animals mean to them. There is a tremendous amount of pride, dedication and hard work behind every entry. These youngsters have spent countless hours feeding, grooming, caring for and preparing their animals for the competition.
I'm never quite sure who is more nervous standing in the judging ring – the youngster or the animal! The kids are doing their best to look confident and professional, while the occasional cow seems to be wondering why everyone is staring at her. And the sheep? Well, I'm not sure they are particularly concerned about winning a ribbon. They probably have their minds on lunch.
Regardless, it's wonderful to see the pride these young people take in their animals. It reminds you that agriculture is about much more than producing food. It's about responsibility, dedication, developing life skills and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
Another particularly special stop for me was the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame exhibit. I had the opportunity to check in on a painting of my dad, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame following a lifetime of contributions to Canada's agri-food industry.
I have to admit, there is something pretty special about seeing your father's portrait displayed among those who have made such important contributions to Canadian agriculture. I'm incredibly proud of him and the work he did throughout his career. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on his accomplishments and the legacy he has left behind. Some things are bigger than a painting, but it's certainly nice to see him recognized!
Of course, no visit to the Royal would be complete without checking out the pumpkin competition.
And WOW! Some of those pumpkins weighed more than 1,000 pounds. I grow pretty fond of a good-sized pumpkin myself, but these things are practically small vehicles. I'm not sure what you would need to grow one of those – a particularly large garden, a lot of fertilizer and possibly a small engineering team to move it!
I also spent time wandering through the incredible displays of handicrafts, artwork and nature-inspired creations. Naturally, I gravitated toward anything featuring birds. Some habits are simply impossible to break. I suppose when you're the founder of a birding store, even a shopping trip to an agricultural fair eventually turns into a birdwatching expedition!
As I headed home, I was reminded that the Royal Winter Fair is about much more than livestock competitions, pumpkins and horses. It's about celebrating the people, families, traditions and hard work that keep Ontario's agricultural community thriving.
And for someone who spends much of his time talking about birds, feeders and backyard wildlife, it was a lovely reminder that our connection to nature comes in many forms.
Sometimes it's watching a chickadee at the feeder. Sometimes it's admiring a 1,000-pound pumpkin. And sometimes it's watching a young person proudly lead a very large cow around a show ring, hoping that both of them remember which direction they're supposed to walk!
All in all, a wonderful weekend, with a little nostalgia, a lot of country charm and some very impressive animals.
I'll definitely be back next year.
Until next time, keep looking up!
Paul Oliver
Founder, Urban Nature Store
Your Local Birding and Nature Experts
