Toronto commuters were greeted by two unusual four-legged passengers boarding the GO train at Scarborough station Wednesday morning — a marketing ploy to promote the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which kicks off this weekend.
The woolly mammals, Dawson and Pacey, hail from All In Alpacas, a family-run farm near Guelph, Ont., and were selected as this year’s Royal Ambassadors.
“Meet Dawson, the lighter one of the two half brothers, is a handsome fawn yearling who if full of confidence,” the Royal shared in a statement posted to their website. “Pacey, a delightful surprise, boasts a striking dark rose grey coat from his black and fawn parents.”
The Royal Ambassadors tradition embodies the spirit of “the country comes to the city.”
Each year, animals are selected to showcase the best of rural life, connecting urban visitors with Canada’s agricultural heritage. These ambassadors become popular figures at The Royal, captivating visitors with their charm and personality, the fair shares on its site.
Previous ambassadors include Kay the sheep, Winston the Percheron cross, Turbo the goat, Lil’ Ben the miniature horse, and the rooster duo, the Royal Duke and his son, the Royal Roy.
“Ambassadors are chosen not only for their exceptional qualities but also for their ability to engage and delight the public,” the fair writes. “Our ambassadors captivate hearts and enrich the Fair with their playful antics and gentle presence.”
Now in its 102nd year, the fair attracts more than 300,000 visitors, making it the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world.
The event runs from Nov. 1 to 10 at Exhibition Place, celebrating the best of Canadian food, livestock, and horsemanship.
As the alpaca duo warmed the hearts of passengers and pedestrians around Toronto, a social media blitz by the fair is also leading to some smile worthy comments from online users.
“The most adorable alpacas on a subway,” jotted one Instagram user in the comment section.
Another Instagram user quipped “Got you AL PACKED on the train.”
On a parting note, one commenter shared that maneuvering two alpacas aboard a crowded Toronto commuter train must not have been an easy feat, but that the pair “Did great.”