Another sure sign of spring’s pending arrival takes place this weekend – the College Royal open house returns to the University of Guelph with a wide variety of free activities and demonstrations.
This annual student-organized event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at locations throughout the school’s main campus.
“We wanted to stick to our roots this year,” Jillian Ohm, College Royal president and fourth-year crop science student, said in a news release. “It’s amazing to see that this tradition has lasted so long, even through trying times. It’s great to see everyone back on campus.”
This weekend’s events include; livestock shows, square dancing competition, bubble soccer, tractor rodeo, kids’ carnival, cat and dog shows, Old Macdonald’s New Farm and much more.
For a full list of events and schedules, download the 2025 College Royal handbook here.
Attendance is free, as is participation in most events and activities open to the public. There are, however, some lower-cost offerings such as sample milkshakes prepared by food science students.
Parking is also free at the U of G during the open house.
The campus-wide event is meant to honour the U of G’s agricultural roots while showcasing what it has to offer to the community.
Now in its 101st year, the free annual event traditionally attracts about 20,000 people over two days. It’s the largest university open house of its kind in North America, the College Royal Society website boasts, though actual attendance fluctuates based on weather conditions.
The annual open house began with a livestock show in 1924
College Royal was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, followed by a virtual event for the general public in 2021 (in-person activities were held for staff and students).