A sure sign spring is on the horizon in southern Alberta is when Exhibition Park at Lethbridge fills up for Ag Expo. The three-day annual event showcases all things agriculture — from equipment to technology — for both crops and livestock. It’s also home to the North American Seed Fair.
“It’s really an economic barometer for agriculture in southern Alberta,” said Doug Kryzanowski, the manager of corporate relations, marketing, events and entertainment for Exhibition Park.
“Everyone watches to see if the farmers and ranchers come in with their chequebooks in hand.”
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Visiting Ag Expo is a valuable way for producers to do some preparation and planning for the upcoming busy season on the farm. They can make contacts, do some comparison shopping, and gather fresh ideas for their business, all in one place.
But it is a big place, so visitors need to have comfortable walking shoes, if they intend to get around to all of the booths and displays which cover about 200,000 square feet of space. While the majority of the show is inside, about 50 of the 350 exhibitors have to line up their machinery outdoors for farmers to examine.
“Space is our limiting factor,” said Kryzanowksi. “We regularly have 40 to 80 exhibitors on a waiting list, wanting to get into the show. We need more space.”
While exhibitors and attendees come for business, breaking the winter routine and getting out to socialize with one another is another important aspect of the show, he said. There’s also the chance to seeing what’s new in an ever rapidly changing agribusiness world.
“We’ve got such a variety here — we’ve got the exhibitor with farm tools, all the way up to the big tractors and combines,” he said. “It is one of Western Canada’s premier shows.
“We’re at the tail end of the show season, so a lot of the customers who do come in know their product could be ready for spring.”
Ag Expo draws visitors from across southern Alberta, but also from as far away as southeastern B.C., southwestern Saskatchewan, and even neighbouring Montana. Exhibitors come from all over Western Canada, and last year there was even one from China.
Lethbridge has a strong tradition of agricultural events, from back in the early 1900s when it proudly hosted the International Dry Farming Congress, with delegates from around the world. In 1957, the Exhibition group teamed up with the local Chamber of Commerce and Alberta Agriculture to create Ag Expo, which featured the largest seed fair in Canada. It also included an Agricultural Short Course.
These days, a volunteer committee from Lethbridge, along with district business people and farmers, work with the Exhibition Association to present the show.
Although what’s being presented for farm equipment and technology has changed dramatically over the years, the basic objective remains true to its roots. It’s a great occasion to showcase agriculture to the community, and give an opportunity for farmers and the companies that serve them to come together and do business.
Ag Expo runs from Feb. 25-27 and is open daily from 9 to 5.
