The midway at this year's Stampede has moved to a cashless system of preloaded wristbands.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The way that Stampede-goers experience the midway may be slightly different this year, but West Coast Amusements assures it will only be for the better.
On Monday, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede made a post on Facebook, explaining that WCA has gone cashless. President of WCA Rob Hauser explained that what they’re doing is using a technology known as “Magic Money.”
“We started researching this idea, probably in 2019, just to make life a little easier,” said Hauser. “It gives us better data on what exact rides are really popular and which ones aren’t really being ridden anymore. And so we just wanted to have a better kind of understanding on what was happening on the midway.”
This is not the first year WCA has used this technology, but it is making its debut for Medicine Hat starting Wednesday on the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede grounds. It’s Hauser’s hope that, like other locations, the greater number of now-automated ticket booths will prevent bottlenecks or long lines.
He explained that the technology will load purchased tickets or day passes onto wristbands with a printed QR code, which will be scanned at the appropriate locations in order to pay for the attractions.
Attendees will be able to load their wristbands with as many tickets as they wish, in a similar manner to which they purchased the physical equivalent in previous years.
“Traditionally, tickets were only good for the rides. And you’d have to pay another way for the food and the games. So now the tickets are good for everything – rides, games and food,” said Hauser.
Debit or credit cards can still be used at the food vendors, said Hauser, but the midway staff will not handle cash. Those wishing to use cash can instead use the new ticket system, giving the money to an automated kiosk and loading the desired amount onto their wristband.
Tickets cannot be refunded, much like the previous version, but can be used at a later date. He encourages fairgoers to pre-purchase their wristbands either online or at any Co-op or Co-op gas bar.
