Little Whoop-Up snack has big impact

By Lethbridge Herald on August 21, 2025.

Members of the Longhorns Baseball Academy man the Jumbo Bites booth at Whoop-Up Days on Wednesday.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Jumbo Bites were a success on Whoop-Up Days opening day, according to the Lethbridge Longhorns Baseball Academy, with only a few comments about the changes, but overall, a positive experience for everyone involved. 

Jaxon Filipenko, pitching coach said Wednesday the partnership with Jumbo Bites is a great fundraiser for them, not only for the financial benefits, but also for the bonding experience for the players and families. 

“The parents and players come together, getting their hands dirty with the work, making the bites and selling them,” said Filipenko. 

It was also a fun time for the kids and parents to get to know each other and work together towards the funds received, and with the changes made this year it is easier and better than before to get the job done. 

“They looked at everything on a grand scale, for safety, efficiency and they thought that it would be a little bit easier if we pre-made all the jumbo bites and make them a little bit smaller,” said Filipenko. 

The change makes it a lot more efficient for everyone involved, from the suppliers to the volunteers, parents and players to come forward and help out inside the tent. 

“This year we have them frozen, and then they get deep-fried, flavored and sold, all done inside the tent by the players and their parents,” said Filipenko. 

The first day saw people excited to have their traditional Jumbo Ears in a smaller, more convenient size as Jumbo Bites. 

“It was incredible. Some people were looking back and forth trying to figure out what the new Jumbo Bites were, but it was a great success. The addition of the dipping sauces and the ability to carry them easier because of the new size was great.”

Filipenko said he hopes the success of the first day only gets better as Whoop-Up Days goes on, and he is excited to see people’s reactions to the Jumbo Bites. 

“I know people like their tradition, I’m kind of the same way, and I know the elephant ears is kind of a staple around the Whoop-Up Days, but I think a lot of people are happy with the changes.”