As the Canadian Dairy XPO wraps, eyes are on Ontario Pork Congress around the corner

The 2026 Ontario Pork Congress is just around the corner in June, with plenty on tap to make the two-day event one to stand out.

The annual Ontario Pork Congress (OPC) is again being organized for another great show on Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18 at the Stratford Rotary Complex on McCarthy Road.

The OPC committee works hard throughout the year to bring in new, innovative and time-tested programs for all to enjoy (not just for pork farmers).

On day one, “Taste the Best” is always one that draws hundreds of people who like to sample pork and foods featuring local restaurants and breweries in the Stratford area.

This year’s cut of choice is pork shoulder and apricots.

Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favourite sample for a chance to win a $50 gift card to their featured restaurant of choice.

The first day also includes the international workers educational event, the hospitality tent, a barbeque lunch, with a variety of pork-based meal options and assorted sides, and there’s also a kids’ play zone open during trade show hours for couples to bring their kids with them.

The first afternoon of the show also includes the 2026 Hog Jog and Weiner Run, and this year the thousands of dollars collected will go to supporting the Emily Murphy Centre, a Stratford-based organization dedicated to supporting women and children who have experienced violence.

The evening also includes a pig roast.

On day two, there will be a barbeque lunch with a variety of pork-based meal options and assorted sides, and lunch is included with admission each day. The hospitality tent opens at 11 a.m. and goes to 10 p.m. and in the evening there is another pig roast.

It’s a special day for the youth to show their live hogs in the bacon maker classic.

The annual show is for youth in a swine competition that’s open to ages nine to 21.

The second day also features the Past President’s Lunch event and the international workers educational event as well. There’s also a pork quality competition on day two, and this year will feature different cuts of meat instead of the whole carcass.

Victoria Stewart, the 2026 president of the OPC, thinks they have a lineup of activities that will suit all pork producers, families and employees.