Canada’s Farm Show returns to in-person event

For the first time since 2019, Canada’s Farm Show is back in person.

“When we kick off (Tuesday) it will mark just about 1,100 days since we had an in-person Canada’s Farm Show. We are just so excited to be able to welcome the world through our doors and back to an in-person show,” said Mark Rathwell, manager of communications and public affairs with Regina Exhibition Association Limited.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus, the major agricultural event hasn’t taken place in full for more than two years.

Last year, the event returned, albeit in a virtual fashion.

“There was just so much uncertainty around health and safety protocols and restrictions. The videos from that virtual show were viewed almost 100,000 times,” Rathwell said.

“Clearly there was an appetite in the midst of all the isolation that was going on to be able to gather in some way, shape, or form and talk about agriculture and talk about the sector and how producers and manufacturers can all be supported.

“We are the heart of Canadian agriculture here. This show really represents that legacy (and) that heritage and it represents the importance of agriculture in this city, in this province and in this country.”

Rathwell said organizers expect about 30,000 people to come through the doors at the REAL District over the next few days, providing an economic impact of around $100 million for the province.

The weather isn’t expected to be a factor this year, with the event being held completely indoors.

“We’re taking advantage of our 1.9 million square feet of event space to program the Farm Show completely indoors. Weather is not a factor this week,” Rathwell said. “If producers can’t get into the field because it is raining or something like that this week, they can come to Farm Show and be dry as a bone indoors.”

There are expected to be 400 exhibitors at this year’s event, with more than 100 of them making their debut at the show.

Canada’s Farm Show runs from Tuesday to Thursday.