Prized pigeon event sees community converge on Winnipeg

Kan Granger, an exhibitor at the CPFA Classic, was one of many present showcasing their prized pigeons, with the 2024 event seeing more than 500 birds participate. (Nick Johnston, CityNews)

By Neve VanPelt

Posted January 10, 2025 5:27 pm.

Last Updated January 10, 2025 5:30 pm.

Some may see pigeons as pests, but in Winnipeg this weekend, these birds will be put on pedestals as dedicated owners have gathered for the Canadian Pigeon Fancier’s Association (CPFA) Classic in hopes their bird flies to the top of the competition.

As part of the event, more than 500 pigeons flew down to Red River Exhibition Park to compete in this year’s national show with exhibitors travelling from across Canada, including two from Manitoba.

“It’s been a popular hobby and sport for literally thousands of years,” said Clint Robertson, organizer of the CPFA Classic. “It’s very similar to showing dogs or cats or rabbits and that’s what I would compare it to, even with the different varieties, it’s the same as show dogs.”

Clint Robertson, wearing a work shirt and button down, is the organizer of the CPFA Classic, and he says every year hundreds of people come out to take in the spectacle which includes several dozen prize pigeons. — Clint Robertson, organizer of the CPFA Classic, says every year hundreds of people come out to take in the spectacle. (Nick Johnston, CityNews)

For veterans like Kan Granger and Richard Krampetz their love for Pigeons started at a very young age and competing at these shows has become a special tradition for them.

“They all have different personalities, and I don’t think there’s anything better than waking up in the morning, taking a cup of coffee, going outside and letting your birds fly,” said Krampetz. “I have a ton of friends I’ve made all across Canada, it’s more almost like a brotherhood than it is anything.”

Sporting a braid in his long grey beard Granger agreed saying the birds bring with them a special connection between those who care for them.

“I have so many of those already I don’t know, it’s more for camaraderie and so on these days.”

Fanning out a beautiful looking wing, Richard Krampetz, was one of many exhibitors at the CPFA Classic, with the black and white only one of 25 birds he had on display. (Nick Johnston, CityNews)

The competition features 25 different breeds, with two international judges flying in to determine the winners. Neil Pratt is one of the world’s leading experts on Pigeons tasked with awarding the recognition.

“They all have a specific breed standard so we have an ideal drawn and then we have a written standard in each section,” he said. “So every breed is different and we have a point system and there’s different features within the breed.”

One of the world's leading experts on Pigeons, Neil Pratt , was in town to judge the more than 500 birds participating. — One of the world’s leading experts on Pigeons, Neil Pratt , was in town to judge the more than 500 birds participating. (Nick Johnston, CityNews)

He explained after a champion is crowned in each breed, those birds are than judged to find an overall show champion, one of the community’s highest honours.

“This is like winning the Super Bowl,” he said. “Or getting gold at the Olympics; this is our Olympics.”

The event continues Saturday.