Whoop-Up Days parade to get party started

By Lethbridge Herald on August 19, 2024.

West Coast Amusements workers set up attractions among the midway and games on the fair grounds Monday afternoon ahead of Whoop-Up Days at Lethbridge & District Exhibition. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

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

It is Whoop-Up Days Parade day today and Lethbridge & District Exhibition is ready to kick-start Lethbridge’s most popular and longest-running community fair. 

“This year we have over 90 floats registered already which is fantastic, of delegates from across the province and it’s just going to be an exciting time with Duane Kesler as our parade Marshal,” said Paul Kingsmith, director community engagement with Lethbridge & District exhibition during a media availability Monday morning. 

He explained that Kesler is one of Canada’s best rodeo stock contractors of all time with roots right here in southern Alberta. 

“The theme is Grow up Western which ties to the Whoop-Up Days theme song which was provided by local artist Cody Hall and it celebrates the western culture that runs through all of southern Alberta and Lethbridge in particular,” said Kingsmith. 

When asked which came first, the parade theme or choosing the parade marshal, Kingsmith said it was a serendipity type of situation. He explained that they have been talking to Cody Hall about potentially doing a theme song this year and he told them he had a song that he thought would fit perfectly with the spirit of what they do. 

“The song is really about how you don’t have to be a cowboy to live a western culture and that by being here you’re influenced by the world around you,” said Kingsmith. 

He said at that point they have already been putting some names together to select the parade marshal and Duane Kesler was one of them. 

“We thought this fits in perfectly, we had Duane in mind already so the worlds came together and the stars aligned and we’re just so happy that it did,” said Kingsmith. 

When talking about what to expect in terms of the floats, Kingsmith said they never know that to expect until they show up on parade day. 

“Last year the overall grand champion was Chinook equipment and they showed up with a bunch of little side by sides and were doing Mario Kart races. It was something we didn’t expect, so I think we’ll be keeping an eye to see what people have in mind,” said Kingsmith. 

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Park Place shopping mall and will follow the traditional route going south along 3rd Street South, east on 3rd Ave. South, north on 13 Street, then east on 9 Ave. North dispersing at Galbraith Elementary School.

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