College Royal Open House Celebrates 90 Years
March 06, 2014 - News Release
More than 30,000 people are expected to visit the University of Guelph March 15 and 16 for the 90th annual College Royal weekend.
The free two-day event, with the celebratory theme of “90 Years of Royalty,” is North America's largest student-run university open house.
“Since this is a special anniversary, we are proud to present new events that will commemorate this milestone. There are more than enough exhibits for people to see and events for people to participate in,” said Celine Dempsey, volunteer media relations director.
Family-friendly events will include livestock shows, square dancing, campus tours, logging competitions, dog and cat shows, photography and art, synchronized swimming demonstrations, a flower-arranging competition and a pancake flipping contest. This year’s agenda also includes a community art extravaganza, a 4-H rabbit hopping show and a “chili chow-down” in Rozanski Hall.
Kids can take in Old MacDonald’s New Farm, a junior tractor rodeo, face painting, teddy bear surgery, a chemistry magic show and food science milkshakes.
New this year, the Office of Research will sponsor a “Curiosity Shop,” allowing visitors to connect with researchers at universities from across the province. Visitors may get answers to questions such as how we’re going to feed nine billion people by 2050, what they can do about greenhouse gases or even why the sky is blue.
U of G student clubs and classes have also designed displays and exhibits.
“College Royal gives students the chance to show who we are, and how much we appreciate and love our community,” said Dempsey.
“This is a time for everyone to come together and learn about food, agriculture, environmental health and more. If there is no prior connection to the university, then this is a perfect time to not only learn what our university does but also how we do it, and how much we love to do it. It’s a great and fun way to spend your weekend with your friends and family.”
For a complete schedule of events, visit the College Royal website. For more information, email colroyal@uoguelph.ca or call 519-824-4120, Ext. 58366.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, or kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca.
