Kids, pigs and cotton candy -- the 61st Annual Agricultural Exhibition is in full swing! Hundreds of spectators, young and old, locals and visitors, enjoyed the beautiful weather yesterday and strolled around the grounds of the Botanical Gardens. (For results, see page 33).

Western and traditional equestrian riding events took centre stage at noon-day.

Seeing the two together was a study in contrasts. The horse riders had the traditional wear: uniform, conservative beige leggings, black jackets and black helmets. The horses' manes and tails were tightly plaited, the saddles small.

But the Western riders were far less inhibited. Jeans, cowboy hats and scarves, and bright red open-neck shirts were common. The riding harnesses sparkled with silver and gold plates.

One horse even had glitter sparkling on its hindquarters while another had a two-metre tail fluttering in the wind.

As the horses left the ring, a small boy perched on top of a fence happily cried out "Hi, Horsey!''.

Tired after its performance, the horse could not reply, but the rider obliged.

As usual, the Exhibition overwhelms the senses.

Somehow, the aroma of grandma's secret recipe gingerbread and fresh lilies creates a balance to the not-so-pleasant scent of sleeping pigs and grazing goats.

From inside a barn, a rooster crowed, a little late, but more than loud enough to be heard over the delighted screams of children.

Somewhere in the distance, a singer performed the Disney hit song "Colours of the Wind''.

And, of course, there were the sights and colours of balloons, face paint and artwork.

Among the milling crowds, the numerous bands of pre-schoolers in bright, matching, "don't-lose-me'' T-shirts were the most distinctive.

Most of them were told to hold hands with a partner and to stay close to their leaders. Unfortunately, with so many diversions, they were easily distracted.

"That chicken is looking at you!'' cried a small girl in a purple clad troop.

"Why are there two gooseys in that cage?'' asked one of her friends.

"Because they are brother and sister,'' someone suggested.

"Follow me! Follow me!'' cried the counsellor.

And everyone -- except the boy whose Mom would not buy him any more cotton candy -- was smiling.

People who did not know each other exchanged kind words or simply smiled hello.

"No, no, these are the air plants,'' a friendly stranger explained. "The bonsai trees are over there.'' "Thank you,'' was the grateful reply.

And then they parted ways.

An uncle found a picture drawn by his niece, old high school friends bumped into each other after years apart, someone learned something new.

Kids, pigs, and cotton candy, some things never change.

Some things never should.