REGINA — Canadian Western Agribition is officially underway, with the opening branding ceremony launching the world class agriculture expo alongside some special invited guests.
Agribition is the province’s premier agriculture and livestock exhibition, known as a top-class event for livestock breeders and competitors from across the world.
A week-long schedule of events will take place from Nov. 22-27, concluding with the Maple Leaf Rodeo Finals on Saturday.
This year also marks the return of Agribition to Regina, after the expo was cancelled last fall due to safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
CWA president Chris Lees took to the podium prior to the ceremonial Burning of the Brand, to express the excitement of seeing e guests once again fill the exhibition halls, especially as Agribition is celebrating its 50th anniversary show.
“It's been 700-and-some days since we were last here, and it fills the heart to see the barns full, the trade show busy, and a full week of competitions, rodeo and fun,” said Lees.
Alongside Lees, special guests from the Sutter family also picked up a branding rod to help launch the week.
The Sutters are considered a founding family of Agribition, having taken part in every show since its inception in 1970.
Father Chris Sutter was the first president of the CWA back in it's founding years, and sons Spence and Dean Sutter, joined by wives Janice and Gail, were present to offer their words.
“My parents would be very proud of this celebration of 50 years today,” said the Sutters. “The show has grown beyond expectations of all the founders that organized this [and] so I say hats off to those people and organizations that have made this show, for over 50 years, the greatest event.”
The ceremony also heard an announcement from agriculture minister David Marit, pledging another $250,000 of sponsorship over the next five years to the CWA from the provincial government.
“We as a government recognize the importance of this show to the livestock industry here in the province of Saskatchewan,” said Marit.
The renewed agreement will follow the current four-year $200,000 sponsorship from the provincial government, which expires at the end of 2021.
“We see an opportunity for growth here, we see countries around the world coming here to do business and we want to be part of that,” said Marit.
Regina mayor Sandra Masters, also present, applauded the organizers and volunteers who work to make Agribition happen each year.
She noted that the event is special not only to the agriculture community, but to the city of Regina and province as a whole.
“Regina itself was built on agriculture and food, and we understand the importance of that sector,” said Masters. “I’m pleased on behalf of the city to welcome tens of thousands of visitors from all over Saskatchewan, from Canada, and frankly, all over the world.”
Agribition annually brings in an estimated 127,000 visitors to Regina over six days of events, generating about $73.6 million in economic impact across the province.
Both Masters and Marit praised the event as one that both supports and spotlights the excellence of the Saskatchewan agriculture industry.
Admission to the first day of the expo is free to all attendees, provided by sponsor CN Rail, said CWA CEO Chris Lane.
A full schedule of events taking place this week can be viewed at agribition.com/show-information/schedule.
