Bigger is always better for Whoop-Up Days 2017
OLYMPIANS TO BE PARADE MARSHALS
The first day of summer marks many things. This year, it brought the announcement of the city’s biggest summer event — and the biggest one in the 120-year history of its host.
Whoop-Up Days 2017 will take place Aug. 22-26, it was confirmed during a media gathering Tuesday evening at Exhibition Park.
The family festival will begin with a parade on Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. with the familiar route south on 3 Street South, east on 3 Avenue and north on 13 Street. The honorary parade marshals will be Lethbridge’s 2016 Rio Olympians: Ashley Steacy, Heather Steacy, Rachel Nicol and Zack McAllister.
“We’ve got a lot of moving parts this year; no less than 22 new activities plus the great concert series,” said Doug Kryzanowski, Exhibition Park’s marketing manager. “We’re getting a lot of good feedback right now just as we announced it.”
West Coast Amusements Midway will have 35 rides, including four new ones: Zero Gravity, Ghost Party, Bumble Bee Bop and Spin The Berries. The Zipper, Ferris Wheel and Reverse Bungee are among the returnees.
The second annual Bucking & Barrels CAN AM Pro Challenge, with 16 pro Canadians versus 16 pro Americans, will run Aug. 2426. Four competitors from each country will compete in saddle bronc, bull riding, bareback and ladies barrel racing.
“We did probably 10,000 people in three nights for that performance (in 2016),” Kryzanowski said, adding that Kesler Championship Rodeo Stock has a waiting list of competitors wanting to enter. “Bucking and Barrels has taken off.”
Tipi Village and Festival Street will return, as will daily activities such as the petting zoo, inflatable bouncers, water balls, paddle boats and an indoor Main Pavilion trade show with more than 80 vendors. The Family Stage will have daily shows by Christina the Crazy Hooper and hypnotist Terrance B.
Other daily shows include CanaDogs in the South Pavilion, Beshano Bike Trials Stunt Show, and Tim Holland Stunt Ventriloquist at the Main Pavilion Stage.
A Canada 150 Pavilion will run daily in the West Pavilion. It will have six original, interactive virtual reality stories featuring Canadians who are shaping their world through creativity. Several local groups, non-profits and charitable organizations will also show how they have contributed to Lethbridge during the last 150 years.
As concerts are held at the grandstand on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, an Indigo Circus Carnivale will take place at the Gas King Stage in Pioneer Park those two nights.
On Aug. 22, a Fair Food Challenge will take place. Also new is the Pendleton Whisky 120 Saloon in Heritage Hall, which will be open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and feature a $4 happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Whoop-Up Days 2017 will wrap with a fireworks finale on Aug. 26 at 11 p.m. All tickets go on sale today.
“We try to please all,” Kryzanowksi said. “We’re trying to do the best we can with what we’ve got in this time of economics. I think we’ve got a hell of a package this year.”