GUELPH – College Royal celebrated its 99th year with an in-person event at the University of Guelph over the March 18-19 weekend.
The campus was full of families pushing strollers and pulling wagons as they travelled across campus to see what was on offer.
College Royal is 12-day event that includes competitions for students, pub nights and other activities streamlined for adults.
It is student run and organized and highlights various clubs on campus.
But on the closing weekend, they open the doors to the public and host a number of talks, and organize activities geared to children. For many families, it is how they wrap up March Break.
Activities include the pancake flipping contest, livestock shows with pigs, horses, dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep, and dog and cat shows.
Children can see and learn about farm animals in Old MacDonald’s New Farm.
Each of the 80-plus clubs on campus had exhibits and tried to capture the interest of young visitors. The Teddy bear surgery area saw children bring their bears in for “surgical” repairs.
Children could see milkshakes being made in the lab. Even on a chilly day, there were long line-ups for milkshakes.
Next year will be the 100th College Royal and organizers have put out a call to university alumni and community members who have been involved in previous College Royals.
“We’re creating a ‘College Royal Museum’ for our 100th year, highlighting the exciting evolutions and comforting constants of College Royal through the ages,” organizers say.
They are seeking stories, photos, testimonials and artifacts from past events.
Anyone with memorabilia to share can email historyofcollegeroyal@gmail.com.
