Whoop-Up Days will have a new entrance for pre-purchased ticket holders this year, while the festival’s fireworks will also move to a new launch site.
For the first time, people with advance tickets will be able to enter the festival grounds through the west side of the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre, off Exhibition Way South across from the east end of Henderson Lake.
The west entrance will not sell tickets. Visitors who have not purchased admission in advance must use the south entrance near the Rocky Mountain Turf Club or the north entrance at the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre.
The entrance will also be available during Free ’Til 3 fuelled by Gas King, when admission is free from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 18, 19 and 20.
Whoop-Up Days runs Aug. 18 to 22.
The festival’s closing-night fireworks will also take place from a different location this year.
The Whoop-Up Days Fireworks Finale presented by West Coast Amusements will be launched from the City of Lethbridge snow dump site off 43rd Street South instead of the rodeo infield at the grandstand.
Organizers said the new site is intended to improve safety around the fireworks operation and give spectators a more central view of the display over the midway.
The fireworks finale is scheduled for 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
Whoop-Up Days features live music, a midway, rodeo, marketplace and other entertainment throughout the five-day event.
