Now in its 53rd year, Canadian Western Agribition returns this week in Regina

There are a couple things in the month of November that producers in Saskatchewan can usually set their clocks to — snow and the Canadian Western Agribition.

This year marks 53 years since the largest livestock show in Canada began and, by all indications, there is no sign of the event slowing down any time soon. Last year’s Agribition was said to have contributed $116.5 million to Saskatchewan’s economy, a 20.7-per-cent increase over the previous year.

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Organizers are looking to build upon that success at the 2024 event, which began Monday and continues until Saturday at REAL District.

“I knew that our event was big but, when you see numbers like that, it is humbling. But it’s not something we take for granted,” said Agribition CEO Shaun Kindopp. “We’re proud of the role that we play in the agriculture space. When we can contribute something like that to the province and the City of Regina, I think everyone wins. It’s something that we’re definitely very proud of.”

Kindopp pointed out that the 2023 event saw an increase over 2019 numbers, effectively bringing the show back from the COVID-19 pandemic basement after it was cancelled in 2020.

“We try to bring in some new, innovative ideas,” Kindopp said. “We try to switch some of our marketing up, but I think people were locked in the house for a long time. I think they’re looking for fun things to do, and we’re proud that they’re choosing our event to come spend their time at.”

In 2023, Agribition set a new attendance record with 142,800 people coming through the gates, which also bolstered tourist spending to $83.2 million. Sales at the trade show booths alone accounted for $998,300 last year, with vendor sales totalling $1.9 million. Livestock sales during the event amounted to $2.2 million last year.

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“We never really try and get complacent,” Kindopp said. “One thing that really drives us is our livestock exhibitors. It’s big business for them. This is their livelihood, and we don’t take that for granted. It’s not cheap for them to come to town.

“Whether it’s at the trade show, whether it’s in the livestock barns or just the networking that happens, we’re really happy that the people are coming here to do their business.”

Last year, the event unveiled several new features, including the Miss Rodeo Agribusiness Contest, Animal Tech Awards, a Taylor Swift contest, and a trip to Australia.

“This year, we’re really focusing on trying to fine-tune (things),” Kindopp said. “How do we take what we implemented last year and make it better?”

One new event this year is freestyle bullfighting, which runs Tuesday.

“If you want to see that incredible event, it’s a one-night only,” Kindopp said, emphasizing that “it will not be happening every night at the rodeo.”

With the first real dose of winter hitting hard this past weekend, Kindopp hopes everyone finds a safe route to Regina and enjoys the six-day event.

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“If there’s resilient people, it’s people in Saskatchewan,” he added. “Winter happens every year, but we just want to make sure that people are safe.

“So as long as you can get here, there’s definitely a lot of fun to be had inside.”

Ryan Kiedrowski is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for The World-Spectator, based in Moosomin. The LJI program is federally funded by the Government of Canada.

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