BUILDING THE THRILLS
Pieter Espin and Christoff May, both from South Africa, set up the Cliffhanger ride for the Queen City Ex at Evraz Place on Tuesday. The 134th edition of the popular rite of summer opens Wednesday with a midway, entertainment and plenty of food.
This year’s edition of the Queen City Ex will see a return of some favourites and the introduction of a few new attractions.
The exhibition kicks off its 134th year Wednesday. The midway will have 47 rides, including the Polar Express, Crazy Mouse Roller Coaster, Niagara Falls Flume and Mach 3.
However, two favourite rides, the Zipper and Fire Ball, will not be there.
The Zipper was retired earlier this summer by North American Midway Entertainment at the Calgary Stampede, but it will be making an appearance at Saskatoon Exhibition next week.
“We’ve had (the Zipper) 50 years in Western Canada and it’s just been a huge crowd favourite and we’ve just worn the thing out. So we’ve sent it off into the sunset,” said Scooter Korek, vicepresident of client services with North American Midway Entertainment.
The Zipper is a ride that consists of an oblong frame. It rotates similarly to a Ferris wheel, with a cable around the edge that pulls 12 cars with passengers sitting inside, flipping end over end.
As well, the Fire Ball will not be at the Queen City Ex following an incident at the Ohio State Fair last week, where one person died and seven were injured after the ride malfunctioned.
“We’ve suspended service of all three of (the Fire Balls) until the outcome of the report from the Ohio State Fair and recommendations from the manufacturer,” Korek said.
The Fire Ball is an “aggressive thrill” carnival ride that swoops like a pendulum and swings in a circle.
A new addition to this year’s Queen City Ex is a dragon rollercoaster for Kiddie Land.
“We first premiered it at the Red River Exhibition in June this year and it’s been absolutely phenomenal. We have a real winner on our hands,” Korek said.
In addition to the rides, there is live entertainment. The Great Western Stage in the Brandt Centre will feature five nights of concerts, with Gord Bamford, July Talk, I Mother Earth & The Watchmen, Ruth B and Brett Kissel headlining.
New programming for children this year includes meet and greets with television characters. Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Brandt Centre there is a meet-and-greet with Marshall and Chase from Paw Patrol. Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. there is a meet-and-greet with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Along with the classic fair food of corn dogs and candy apples, there will be some wild and adventurous new foods to try.
“This year we have a one-metre long sausage. I’d love to see someone try to eat that whole thing in one sitting,” said Shalyn Kivela, digital media and corporate communications manager with Regina Exhibition Association Limited.
As well there are cookies ’n’ cream mini doughnuts, Canadian bacon pickle balls, mac and cheese poutine, toasted s’more marshmallow shake, maple walnut cotton candy and many others.
The Queen City Ex runs Wednesday to Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a free (by food donation) pancake breakfast Sunday morning.
This year, we have a one-metre long sausage. I’d love to see someone try to eat that whole thing in one sitting.