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Livestock trailers and tractors are rolling into Regina as the farm moves to the city for Agribition week.
Western Canadian Agribition CEO Marty Seymour says all hands will be on deck over the weekend as the trade show exhibitors finish setting up and people start to move cattle into the barns.
Along with the traditional agriculture and livestock events, Agribition will also feature a new food pavilion this year.
“You can expect cooking demonstrations, trade show display type stuff where you can find really anything related to the kitchen, but in particular (there’s) a focus on Saskatchewan food products and exhibitors,” Seymour explained.
Living Skies Winery is also partnering with Agribition to create a wine garden for the trade show.
“I think you’re going to have a different feel to our show this year, there’s going to be lots of festive activity going on with our music lineup,” Seymour commented.
Agribition will feature cabarets each night with live music performances by The Dead South, Alex Runions, Amy Nelson and Jullian Austin, to name a few.
Cowboys and cowgirls will also be saying farewell to the Agribition bar known as the Swamp with a special cabaret party on Saturday night.
Full contact jousting is also returning this year, offering a medieval flair to the unique mix of entertainment.
The Canadian Cowboys Association Finals Rodeo runs Tuesday to Saturday. Everyone can get free admission to the rodeo on Tuesday.
Seymour says there is a sense of nostalgia around the barns this year. Several old buildings will be torn down after Agribition to make room for construction on the new International Trade Centre.
“We have 45 years of cattle history here and one of our anchor buildings – the GMC Chevrolet Stadium is kind of like the Fenway Park of the cattle business,” Seymour said.
“We’re hearing lots of stories about couples who met for the first time at the show and somebody who won the champion beef banner 20 years ago and how it changed their business.”
On Monday Agribition really will be in the middle of downtown Regina with a charity auction at the Ramada Hotel.
“I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but when you arrive you’re going to see a horse first thing when you walk in the door,” Seymour said. “Then toward the end of the lunch when you start the auction, we’re going to bring in some pretty big animals, and that’s all I want to say.”
The auction will be held at the Regina chamber of commerce luncheon and the proceeds will go towards STARS Air Ambulance.
