Admission to Whoop Up Days will be free stating this year. The annual fair is returning to Lethbridge on August 22-26 and will be hosted at the Lethbridge and District Exhibition’s new Agrifood Hub and Trade Centre.
“We are committed to making Whoop Up Days a fun, friendly and accessible celebration for the entire community and with the opening of the Agrifood Hub and Trade Centre, which will be used for the programming of this year’s fair, there is no better time to make sure our entire community is welcome to come visit and see the incredible new facility,” said Lethbridge and District CEO Mike Warkentin.
Live music is set to return this year and Warkentin said there will be details on the lineup coming later this summer.
“It’s something we knew we were missing last year and last year, unfortunately, construction and space limitations, we just didn’t have the spot for it so as part of our construction and new Agrifood Hub and Trade Centre, we are also going to introduce the opening of festival lawn this summer and that’s where our entertainment programming will take place. We are still working through a few of those details,” Warkentin said. “We want to go back to a place where we are a major live music and entertainment venue again but we have to do that cautiously and we have to understand what the community wants.”
This year Whoop Up Days will feature the second annual Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant and Pow Wow, as well as pro rodeo again. It will kick off with the annual parade on Aug. 22 before the gates to the midway open.
Local vendors will be set up inside the new building throughout the event and there will be food trucks on the grounds.
“I am truly thrilled at the sense of pride and excitement generated throughout the city and the region during the Whoop Up Days week. It really has the ultimate attraction, which is bringing our entire community together in a positive manner. With today’s big and exciting announcement of the free admission for all the attendees, I believe Lethbridge and District Exhibition is leading the way when it comes to community development and celebration,” said Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen.
Warkentin said there will be more programming indoors this year with the new facility and he believes a lot of people will come to see the new venue.
READ MORE: Lethbridge and District Exhibition prepares for new building opening