Long-time volunteer John Willmott a 'brand' name at Regina Agribition

John Willmott recalls the first Regina Agribition back in 1971.

He lived in Ontario but was brought to the first show as a cattle judge.

"It was pretty primitive back then," said the long-time Canadian Western Agribition volunteer and cattleman.

"I remember the manager's headquarters was in a little two-wheeltrailer outside. My, how it has grown since then."

The 83-year-old Willmott became an Agribition volunteer two years later and never stopped lending a hand.

From humble beginnings, Agribition is now the largest livestock show in Canada anda world-class event featuring 450 exhibitors.

It officially kicked off for the 46th time Monday with the ceremonial burning of the brand.Willmott, a recent Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee, had the honour of doing the branding.

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He said he always wanted Agribition to be more than a provincial show.

Now it's global.

"In '71, I don't think we had any international guests here," said Willmott. "Now we have 70 some countries that are registered. Agribition ranks right up there will similar shows inToronto, Denver, Louisville, Kentucky."

Saskatchewan's Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart was on hand to honour Willmott.

He also remembers the first Agribition in 1971.

"At that age, one of the great attractions for me of course was the Swamp,"Stewart quipped, referring to Agribition'siconic watering hole.

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"When Agribition began it was one ofthose things you hoped would take root and grow. There was great vision for it but you never know. Now we know."

Stewart said that's a tribute to volunteers who were there on the ground floor, people like Willmott.

Willmott wears vintage volunteer jacket

Right now, Agribition is in the middle of a multi-million building expansion.

Willmott said the days of the leaking roofs from since demolished old barns are in the past.

Still, he reached back to the past and proudly worehis decades-old red volunteer Agribition jacket to today's branding ceremony.

"This jacket I have on is one of the first volunteer jackets," said Willmott.

"I always thought, 'Gosh, you get a volunteer jacket, you must being doing something right.'"