The 2019 South Country Co-Op Ag Expo presented by Farm Credit Canada will be taking place from Wednesday, February 27th to Friday, March 1st, running from 9 am to 5 pm on each day. Admission is just $7 per person with a $5 per vehicle parking fee, and children under 10 get into the expo for free! As always, the venue for the event is Exhibition Park.

What began as a seed fair over a century ago, in 1897, has today grown into a full, three-day expo. The North American Seed Fair presented By FortisAlberta continues to be an important feature of the South Country Co-Op Ag Expo. You will also find exhibitors offering a wide variety of agricultural products, including farm equipment, livestock supplies, and all sorts of new agricultural technology. For the expo’s machinery displays, you’ll want to head outside to Machinery Row, which will be spread out over Exhibition Park’s 150,000 square feet of outdoor space.

Every year, the South Country Co-Op Ag Expo hosts over 350 indoor exhibitors that come from all across the continent to attend. The expo is so popular that there is usually a waiting list over 50 vendors long. Expo visitors usually number around 20,000 and are joined by seed suppliers, agricultural company representatives, and service sector representatives.

The North American Seed Fair which takes place at the expo is not only one of the oldest but one of only a few remaining seed fairs in all of North America. It is also the only show where the seeds and grains are judged. There are 27 different classes of pedigreed seed, junior classes, and open classes showcased at the fair, and they are displayed at the South Pavilion on the Seed Floor.

Since the very first seed fair, Exhibition Park has hosted a plethora of agricultural shows, sporting events, trade shows, rodeos, midways, and all sorts of special events. It is the fourth oldest agricultural society in the province, serving as a community gathering space for Lethbridge and the surrounding area.

The spacious venue offers plenty of room to move comfortably around the vendors and seed displays. Don’t forget to pick up a free coffee to sip while you roam from Farm Credit Canada at the North, South, and Main Pavilions. If you plan to check out the outdoor machinery displays, then make sure you dress for the weather.

For many people, the South Country Co-Op Ag Expo is an annual reminder that spring is just around the corner. As the second-last expo on the agriculture circuit, it comes just in time for the growing season. The weather is usually cooperative and matched by the sunny disposition of the expo visitors and vendors. There are plenty of interesting things to see, so make sure you mark the 2019 South Country Co-Op Ag Expo on your calendar.