By ELIZABETH McSHEFFREY

Daily Herald-Tribune

Every year, around this time, thousands flock from far and wide to take part in the Peace Country Classic Agri-Show, which kicks off Thursday at Evergreen Park.

Last year, the three-day event drew more than 14,000 people and raised $108,000 for Evergreen Park.

It was the biggest and best convention organizers had ever seen – until 2014, that is.

“I’ve been doing this now for 15 years and every year it’s gotten a little bit bigger,” says show president Dave Martin. “We’re hoping we get 15,000 or more this year.”

The Agri-Show committee has assembled a lineup of nearly 160 exhibitors from across the country to display the best and brightest in agriculture tools and technology.

The show will have it all, says Martin, from GPS-installed tractors to riding gear.

“Every year all of the manufacturers are present at the show and for the most part they bring the newest, latest and greatest offerings from each of the big corporations that are into the (agriculture) equipment and technology,” he explains.

“This year we’re actually really showcasing the seminars that we’re running that are concurrent with the show itself.”

The classic will feature a set of mini- symposiums on pertinent topics such as anhydrous ammonia, blackleg and farm succession planning.

Listed experts include Greg Kostal, Farm Credit Canada, Blue Wave Energy, Sheldon Wilcox and Alberta Transportation.

“We’ve got talks on quad safety, which is relevant to the farm community, also seed spacing, fertilizer practices and new seed GMOs that are being offered for use by our local farmers,” says Martin.

“People come to the show from across the entire northern region of Alberta and northeastern British Columbia.”

Though preparation for the show is going well, the president says organizers hit a snag when a case of strangles was confirmed in the Evergreen Park boarding barn late last year.

Recent presence of the infection means this year’s convention will not include a horse program or children’s petting zoo.

“We just didn’t want to expose additional animals, the risk isn’t worth the reward,” he explains. “It’s the responsible thing to do.”

Other kids’ programming will still be available however, including animal judging, cattle shows, grooming classes and dress up.

“Troyer Town will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. no charge to all kids, which is pretty huge,” added Evergreen Park general manager Dan Gorman. “On Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. we’ll have bouncy castles at Clarkson Hall, no charge.”

The traditional bull sale will also still run and actually promises to be a top quality event with roughly 60 prized-bulls, says Martin.

“It will be the biggest Northern Classic Bull sale they’ve ever had,” he explains. “Last year topped any year before and this year, I think they’ve got four or five more bulls.”

Agriculture is the second-largest industry in Alberta behind oil and gas production, employing more than two million people in the province.

Even if you’re not involved in the industry, Martin believes it’s important for everyone to come out.

“Agriculture is a growing business and there is a pun intended there,” he says.

“I really believe that everyone needs to know how the food that we buy at the local grocery stores comes to be there.”

The Peace Country Classic Agri-Show is free of charge for all participants and runs from March 6 to 8 at Evergreen Park.

For more information or to view the schedule, visit http://www.evergreenpark.ca/events/events/item/261-classic.