There’ll be an extra Whoop-Up Day this year

By Lethbridge Herald on May 30, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

If Whoop-Up Days is already good, an extra day can only make them better, right?

The Lethbridge & District Exhibition announced Thursday that Whoop-Up Days will be a little longer this year, as they have added an extra day of programming, known as Whoop-Up Wrap-Up on Sunday Aug. 24.

The Wrap-up Day will offer reduced programming for an admission price of $5 so residents can have an extra day to enjoy the West Coast Amusements midway before it heads out of town, along with food trucks and the Original 16 Beer Garden. 

Paul Kingsmith, director, event development, said Wrap-Up Day should be an exciting addition.

“That is something that our friends at West Coast Amusement brought up to us as an opportunity, because their schedule changed and they were able to have the Sunday open, and they asked us if we wanted to do something like that, so we jumped at the opportunity.”

Kingsmith said an extra day also opens up future opportunities. And since it’is no secret that the Lethbridge & District Exhibition has gone through some changes lately, he appreciates the fact that the leadership team continues to see the value of Whoop-Up Days. 

“Whether it’s our leadership within LED or our board of directors, or the City of Lethbridge, they have always seen the value of Whoop-Up Days and making sure that it continues and that it is a great event,” said Kingsmith. 

The annual parade kicks things off at 9 a.m. on Aug. 19, starting prom Park Place Shopping Centre. The parade’s theme is Hometown Heroes, which celebrates the everyday champions who shape thefuture, care for others, teach, coach and help.

Familiar favourites returning to Whoop-Up Days include the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant on Aug. 19 and Powwow on Aug. 20-21, and the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo from Aug. 21-23. 

Kynan Vine, executive producer of the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo, said people can expect to see top competitors from around the world. 

“Over the past few years, we have been fortunate enough to build the rodeo up as one of the largest rodeos in Canada and one of the largest rodeos in the circuit,” said Vine. 

Each night of the rodeo comes with a special theme that will include unique programming, special guests and more. Thursday is Allied Projects Blackfoot Confederacy Celebration Night, Friday is R-KO Truck Lines Family Night and features $10 youth admission tickets, and Saturday is ATB Business Agriculture Community Night.

Also new is a completely revamped Whoop-Up Days Marketplace and Family Fun Zone. New in the area this year is the Community Stage, which will feature an agriculture-themed magic show three times daily, an interactive kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull and local entertainers. 

As well, LDE is ensuring the organizations, not-for-profits and charities in the community are represented by offering free space in the Marketplace to local organizations.

Returning this year is Free ‘Til 3 fuelled by Gas King, which allows everyone onto the grounds for free from noon to 3 p.m. from Aug. 19-21. 

The Original 16 Stage will host an on-going party for all five days of Whoop-Up Days included with gate admission. Headliners include Trooper, Chad Brownlee, Econoline Crush and Trevor Panczak. The full Original 16 Stage lineup is available at whoopupdays.ca.

Other highlights include the return of Pure Power Wrestling’s Hot Summer Night event on Aug. 22, the new Extreme Lumberjacks show, which is appearing in Lethbridge for the first time, Jumbo Ears, the Food Truck Zone, the Fireworks Finale on Aug. 23 and much more, with more announcements expected in the coming months.

Admission tickets and West Coast Amusements unlimited ride wristbands will be available at Lethbridge and area Gas King locations beginning June 27.

To learn more, visit whoopupdays.ca.