Huge turnout carries Guelph tradition into it’s ninth decade
For the 91st year in a row, the University of Guelph played host to College Royal, an open house and celebration of the university’s agricultural heritage. The event took place from March 21 to 22.
College Royal has been plagued over the years with questionable weather; this year, the event saw every type of weather possible, from rain, to warm and sunny, to flurries, to cold.
In spite of strange weather, the weekend’s events were well-attended by young and old alike. College Royal has always had a distinct appeal to young children and their families. Many of the events educate children on the life of the modern-day farmer while also being entertaining and exciting, promoting thought about the agricultural community and the impact it has on their lives.
Saturday started off the pancake flip competition; the morning was cold and rainy, so those that had managed to make their way to campus early were relieved to find a warm pancake breakfast waiting for them. Arguably more important than the pancakes was the entertainment that accompanied them, with alumni and student groups dressing up and acting as flamboyant as possible when working near a hot griddle with impatient pancake-eaters waiting for their feed. Their antics were an effort to impress the judges, who needed to be wowed not only by the taste of the pancakes being flipped, but the gusto with which they were being served. It all made for a very entertaining way to have breakfast.
Across the rest of the main campus were demonstrations and information booths set up by the various on-campus clubs and organizations. A large number of current students typically attend the open house, as it offers a fantastic way to connect with new people on campus. The atmosphere is, as it always is in Guelph, energetic, laid back, and welcoming.
Moving across Gordon to the OVC, attendees were greeted with a much more agriculturally-oriented show. Old Mac’s New Farm showed off the latest and greatest in agricultural research and technology. Venturing inside, it’s always impressive to see just how big the barns can be, and how much information they can cram in. The staff are always knowledgeable and helpful, and many of them are involved in the exhibits personally, lending a warm and personal edge to many of the speeches.
One certainly cannot pass by the OVC and not stop in to grab a milkshake prepared by the food science students. In addition to the usual chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry options, each year, the students create a milkshake themed around their graduating year’s theme colours. This year happened to have silver, managing to incorporate the hue into a milkshake. The result was deemed a “mystery” flavour, which made me skeptical; however, it was delicious, and I haven’t died yet, so way to go, food science students.
The livestock show was also well attended by patrons of all ages. Cows, pigs, sheep, and horses were judged in a building specifically built for the purpose; onlookers were able to visit with animals not being shown and ask questions their owners.
Sunday featured more student-oriented events, including the dog-and cat-show held in Rozanski. The cat show proves itself particularly entertaining, as most felines don’t take kindly to being paraded around in front of an entire hall of people. I’ve taken my own cat before, and I can tell you: not a popular event amongst the contestants. The crowd of students and young families, however, thoroughly enjoyed the show.
All in all, it was a very successful year for College Royal. There were tons of student events that took place, and as always, the Royal served as a fantastic way to meet new people and embrace the culture and heritage on campus.