Minnesota Royal began on the St. Paul campus in 1916, when it was known as the Livestock Show. During it's first few years, it was run by the campus Livestock Club. In 1923, the Block and Bridle club took over, renaming the show Ag Royal. For years, Ag Royal consisted entirely of a livestock showmanship contest. Eventually, the event expanded to include an archery contests, musical chairs on draft horses, a parade with a marching band and a dance. From 1950-1951, the show was sponsored by the Ag. Club Commission. In 1952, an all-college weekend called Kitchi-Geshig took the place of Ag Royal. The change pulled together the St. Paul campus colleges - agriculture, forestry, and home economics, and veterinary medicine to advertise the opportunities of the campus to all of Minnesota. In the 1956, Kitchi-Geshig was replaced with Minnesota Royal. In recent years, Minnesota Royal is sponsored by students, alumni, faculty, as well as local companies. The students take part in such events as a tee-shirt design contest, animal imitation contest, a 2-mile fun run, a talent show, a hay hauling contest, and the livestock showmanship contest.
From the guide to the Minnesota Royal Papers, 1952-1968, 1981-1996, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
