Countdown on for Whoop-Up Days
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 17, 2024.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com The Countdown is on for Whoop-Up Days and the Lethbridge & District Exhibition is ready to welcome everyone to their grounds an hour earlier than before Tuesday shortly after the annual parade.Whoop Up Days will begin with the traditional annual parade on Tuesday starting at 9 a.m. from Park Place Mall, going through downtown and finishing at Galbraith Elementary School with the gates at Lethbridge & District Exhibition opening at noon, shortly after the parade is over. This year’s entry will be free until 3 p.m. the first three days – Tuesday through Thursday – thanks to Gas King.
Paul Kingsmith, director of community engagement with Lethbridge & District Exhibition, said Friday that things are coming along and they can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the various events, rides and vendors next week.
“We are ready, we’re excited, we’re just can wait for Tuesday. This is the best time of the year for all the planning that goes into it, once it starts being real, once you start looking outside and inside seeing all the pieces coming together, the excitement starts to build and we’ve got a ton of stuff planned and it’s all coming together beautifully,” said Kingsmith.
He said they have been planning for almost a year, so it is great to be at the final stages before everything comes together and they can open the gates for everyone to enjoy.
Because attending Whoop-Up Days is a tradition for many, Kingsmith said the Exhibition always looks for ways to make enough changes for people to continue attending and this year some of the changes involve a family zone and accessibility to alternative transportation storage.
“Our convention salon is the home of the brand new family fun zone. In that area we’re going to have an inflatable corn maze, a hands on STEM exhibit where people can do activities, free face painting, lots of fun toys and that kind of stuff,” said Kingsmith.
He said another addition to this year’s fair is accessibility to the Original 16 patio and lounge, where LA Chefs will be barbecuing Friday and Saturday.
“We’re super excited about continuing our partnership with Blackfoot Confederacy and this year we’re adding a traditional games demonstration, which is something new that will take place on both Friday and Saturday here in the Agrifood hub and Trade Centre,” said Kingsmith.
On-site parking for Whoop-Up Days is free, but limited, so visitors are encouraged to use public transit, ride shares, e-scooters or bikes or carpool.
“New this year is a Bike Check operated by the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, where guests can leave their bikes in a secure location in the old Safety City location for a donation to the CSAC,” said Kingsmith.
He added that for those with limited mobility, drop-off loops are located at both the south entrance and at the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre. As well, a dedicated rodeo entrance has been created for those who are attending the rodeo.
Those attending will be able to enjoy the West Coast Amusements Midway, the Whoop-Up Days Marketplace, the Wildlife Festival, the Family Fun Zone, Extreme Dogs with daily shows at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., live music from 3 p.m. to midnight on the Original 16 Stage Jumbo Ears, Axe Monkey axe throwing, the Food Truck Zone, the Original 16 Beer Gardens, Pure Power Wrestling’s Hot Summer Night on Aug. 24, Fight Night 20 bare-knuckled boxing event on Aug. 23 among many other activities.
And for those looking for Indigenous activities, Whoop Up days offers theSiksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant on Aug. 20, the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow on Aug. 21 and 22, a Traditional Games demonstration on Aug. 23 and 24 and the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo. 3
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