Calgary can no longer lay claim as the cowboy capital, as cowpokes converged at Northlands yesterday for Farmfair International.
A trade show for Alberta’s agriculture industry, Farmfair draws attendees from all over Western Canada, during its run from Nov. 6 to Nov. 15.
Strutting around in cowboy boots, crowds yesterday took in educational seminars, rodeo events and lifestock shows. Hosted by Northlands, the largest agricultural society in Canada, Farmfair harkens back to the county fairs where farmer gathered to share trade gossip.
“This is kind of our yearly trek to the city to come and see what is new, what is up and coming,” said Lac La Biche-area horse farmer, Lea Kozakevick. “You meet lots of contacts here too, people that are doing the same thing.”
Organizers say that the event, along with this week’s Canadian Finals Rodeo, brings 100,000 people to the capital region, with an economic impact of $60 million. In the future, the event hopes to capitalize on urbanites renewed interest in agriculture.
“What we would like to do … is to create more of a networking centre for urban people to learn about agriculture, to learn where your food comes from and why that is important,” said show manager, Jennifer Annett.
