Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
March 03, 2003
U of G prepares for College Royal open house
University of Guelph students are busy preparing for College Royal weekend, the largest university open house event in North America. "Proud Heritage, Promising Future" is the theme of this year's event, which runs March 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All open house events are free and open to the public.
Started in 1925 as a livestock-showing competition, College Royal has grown to become a campus-wide event that involves some 3,000 volunteers and attracts close to 30,000 visitors.
This year's open house features traditional favourites such as the livestock show, logging competition and the 50th anniversary of the dog show, as well as a photography contest, spelling bee and Gryphon Jeopardy. The weekend will also feature numerous displays and activities by student clubs and individual departments, hands-on teddy bear surgery for kids at the Ontario Veterinary College, tours of the Wild Bird Clinic, a cat show, synchronized swimming demonstrations and a chemistry magic show.
Another College Royal tradition is the annual Curtain Call musical production, with this year's company performing Annie Get Your Gun March 13 to 15 in War Memorial Hall at 8 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on March 15. Tickets are $10 for evening performances and $8 for the matinee.
Also scheduled are a number of team events, including a tug-of-war, pie throw, egg toss, square dance competition and pancake-flipping contest. In addition, a lecture series will run throughout the weekend, featuring talks on a variety of issues and subjects being studied at the university.
A complete listing of all College Royal events and activities is available on the Web at www.collegeroyal.uoguelph.ca. Programs are also available on campus and at numerous locations throughout the city.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
