Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

March 09, 2006

College Royal Building Towards a Royal Future

The University of Guelph’s College Royal weekend, the largest university open house event in North America, runs March 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and March 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

This year’s theme is “Building Towards a Royal Future,” something everyone is doing on a daily basis, said Julia James, a fourth-year animal science student from Rosetta, Ont., who is this year’s College Royal celebrant. “And the annual open house is an important part of that, she said. “College Royal is an opportunity for students and faculty to showcase all that the University has to offer.”

This year’s open house features traditional favourites such as the livestock show, a logging competition and dog and cat shows, as well as Old MacDonald’s new farm, a photography contest and a junior tractor rodeo. The weekend will also feature numerous displays and activities by student clubs and individual departments, a juried art show at Zavitz Hall, hands-on teddy bear surgery for kids at the Ontario Veterinary College, live entertainment and a chemistry magic show.

“I want everyone to participate in an event that they’ll never forget and that they’ll look forward to coming back to,” said James.

Also scheduled are a number of team events, including a flower-arranging competition, square-dancing competition, seeds and forages competition and pancake-flipping competition. In addition, a lecture series will run throughout the weekend, featuring talks on a variety of topics being studied at U of G.

Complete listing of all College Royal events and activities

Programs are also available on campus and at numerous locations throughout the city.