Royal Winter Fair means red ribbons gallore for Quinte region
Giant veggies and various cheeses among biggest winners
MPP Leona Dombrowsky (left) tours the Royal Winter Fair with his royal highness, Prince Charles
The curtain is about to drop on another successful “Royal” – especially when you look at the ribbon tally for the agricultural community in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
As always, there were some remarkable farmers and craftspeople at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
This morning in the newsroom, I had the pleasure of interviewing 14-year-old Picton farmer, Shannon Langridge. Shannon won top prize for her 53.8 lbs cabbage, despite competing against adults and having just two years of growing under her belt. It could have something to do with her teacher, expert giant grower, John Vincent, who claimed a world record with neighbour, Brian McGill, this year with his giant squash.
While in Toronto for the show last week, I also got to interview the Fair’s CEO and the head of exhibitors. Their interviews will be part of two upcoming stories I’m writing for Eastern Ontario Agri News: “Cheese is to Eastern Ontario what Wine is to Niagara” and “RAWF Becomes Unofficial HQ for World’s Giant Veggies”.
All the experts were remarking on how well Eastern Ontario performed at the Royal, especially in the cheese category. Wayne Lain of Maple Dale Cheese in Plainfield won the title of grand champion cheddarman. Petra Cooper and her team at Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company took home the grand champion title for the second consecutive year in the goat cheese category.
And don’t forget, it was just a few short days ago when the Royal drew back the curtain with a big hand from two local figures. Our local MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky, was the official tour guide for their royal highnesses Prince Charles and Camilla; and County resident, Terry Veevers, drove the royals through the Royal in his carriage, led by his team of Clydesdales.
What a grand Royal it has been! But next year, I’m going to try spending more time in the Bull Pen 
