SHOW BEGINS
Agribition kicks off
One of Regina’s biggest yearly events kicks off on Monday.
Yes, Agribition is back and it’s bigger than ever.
Though originally established to sell livestock, the Canadian Western Agribition has come to be a hub for shopping and entertainment, Agribition CEO Marty Seymour says.
“We’ve always connected buyers and sellers. Initially, it was a cow: buyer from Kazakhstan, seller from Swift Current,” he said, adding that “the next leap for us is connecting buyers and sellers as far as maybe the mom on the east side of Regina to get her more connected to where her food comes from.”
Each year, Agribition draws in anywhere from 100,000 to 125,000 people. Seymour expects 700 international attendees from 70 countries, though this number could ebb and flow.
“This year is the biggest trade show we’ve ever had ... when you add it up, there’s close to 1,000 exhibitors here,” said Seymour.
The show typically generates close to $37 million during its six days.
Increasingly, though, the attraction has been the entertainment.
Rodeo has been a staple of the event for years and, for the first time, the rodeo night will be free on Tuesday. This event starts at 6 p.m. and free admission will last as long as there are available seats.
However, last year a new event was one of the biggest draws.
Full-contact jousting — yes, with knights in shiny armour — was one of the most popular events at show. Seymour confirmed it’s coming back.
“Last year, we thought a couple of thousand people would show an interest in jousting. We filled the building, we estimate we had 6,000 people there. We filled the building,” said Seymour.
Jousting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
This year, Seymour and the CWA are trying something new: a food pavilion.
“I think our new food pavilion is going to be the coolest new addition to the show,” said Seymour.
He explained the pavilion is essentially a hockey rink packed full of western Canadian food vendors and restaurants with locally grown stock and items. There will be hourly cooking demonstrations, ranging from the world’s fastest omelette cooker to proper knife technique.
Next to the pavilion there will be a wine garden run by Living Sky Winery, a winery from Perdue, Sask.
“You come to Agribition, you think of cows and combines. But a huge component of our industry is really the end product,” said Seymour.
Agribition runs from today to Sunday. For a full list of events visit
Last year, we thought a couple of thousand people would show an interest in jousting. We filled the building, we estimate we had 6,000 people there. We filled the building.
Canadian Western Agribition CEO Marty Seymour