Whoop-Up Days ready to go!

By Lethbridge Herald on August 19, 2023.

A fair-goer feels the thrill of a midway ride during last year’s Whoop-Up Days at Exhibition Park. Herald file photo

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

With Whoop-Up Days kicking off this week, Lethbridge and District Exhibition is getting ready to welcome everyone not only to enjoy the fair, but also their brand new facility. 

Lethbridge and District Exhibition CEO Mike Warkentin spoke to reporters Friday and said they could not be more excited about this year’s Whoop-Up Days, having people coming through their brand new facility to reach the midway. 

“We’re excited to get the community through here for five days of exciting fun. The biggest thing about this year is this is meant to be a community event, this is meant to be a bit of a homecoming for people to come back, and we wanted it to be accessible for everybody so obviously this year we went with the free admission to Whoop-Up Days,” said Warkentin. 

He said the Exhibition has been hearing that the free admission has been well received by the community and they are looking forward to welcoming all sorts of guest this year, including some who normally wouldn’t come to Whoop-Up Days. 

“Some will come to see the building, but mostly to experience all the fun and entertainment that will be happening on the grounds. We’ve reintroduced live entertainment this year, which we’re excited about and then obviously the return of the Siksikaitsitapi Pow Wow and Princess Pageant, the warrior relay races and the Lethbridge and district pro rodeo,” said Warkentin. 

He said those in attendance can also expect to see the Wildlife Festival featuring Living Dragons and Pure Power Wrestling joining them for the weekend. 

“Definitely a different entertainment than we’ve ever brought to Whoop-Up days, but certainly brings with it a really dynamic audience and a really dynamic flair for entertainment,” said Warkentin. 

On their way to the midway, attendees will also be able to enjoy the Whoop-Up Days Marketplace which will take place in the KB Heating and Air Conditioning Hall and Hall C. At the UFA Hall attendees will be able to enjoy the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant on Aug. 22, the Siksikaitsitapi Pow Wow on Aug. 23 and 24 and Pure Power Wrestling Hot Summer Night on Aug. 25. 

For live stage entertainment people can expect a variety of local talent being showcased during Whoop-Up Days this year. 

“This year we really wanted to celebrate local, so in conjunction with our free admission to bring more of the community out, we also wanted to celebrate the exceptional local talent we have in local artists, and that’s why we programmed the stage with southern Alberta artists this year,” said Warkentin. 

He said that since the “Festival Lawn” will not be ready on time for the event, the stage programming will take place in the midway at the Original 16 stage. 

Warkentin said that even though there are still a few things to take care of, construction will not be taking place during Whoop-Up Days. 

“When you come in here next week for Whoop-Up days, it will look finished to the majority of people that come through the facility. We will still continue with a little bit of finishing work post Whoop-Up days into the fall,” said Warkentin.