Enhanced security measures for Whoop Up Days

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With bigger bands booked to play Whoop up Days, it means more stringent security procedures this year.There is enhanced security for Whoop Up Days this year. Photo by Richard Amery
 Everybody will be subject to a bag search and a pat down and will go through a metal detector before entering the grounds at the South and north gates.


There is  a long list of prohibited items which  Exhibition Park staff are encouraging people to leave at home. Prohibited items include  air horns/artificial noisemakers; alcohol;  any item deemed a danger/threat to public order or safety 
; articles of clothing with offensive language/images ;  Banners/signs/voice amplification devices ; Bicycles/scooters ; Compressed and/or liquid gas/aerosol sprays (except personal care products, insect 
repellant) ; conducted energy weapons (i.e. Taser) ; corrosive chemicals/flammable substances; drones/radio controlled devices ; Illegal drugs/drug paraphernalia/ substances ;  explosives/flammable items/ignition devises ; firearms/slingshots/ammunition ; fireworks; flyers/samples/promotional items/giveaways ; glass containers /other containers in which their contents cannot be easily identified ;Hand tools/electric tools ; Knives/scissors/bladed items of all forms ; light emitting devices (lasers); mace/pepper spray/bear spray ;  masks ; materials of an extremist/offensive /discriminatory nature ; padlocks/chains/cables/zip ties/handcuffs ; paint/markers ; pets /other animals except animals with a service dog Identification card ; replica firearms/weapons including items that appear to be firearms skateboards/segway’s/wheelies/shoes with wheels/ hover boards ; sporting goods (baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, bows and arrows) ; Professional audio or video recording devices ; Unknown liquids/powders ; noise makers (i.e. bullhorns, sirens, air horns, etc) or confetti poppers; Hard sided coolers ;Selfie sticks/monopods/tripods, etc ;Glass bottles or unsealed outside beverages ; High back lawn chairs, large hats that obstruct views, or large umbrellas; Large banners or signs, banners or signs with objectionable language, or banners or 
signs on a pole of any kind  and  any objects deemed unacceptable by security or in their opinion may be used as a 
weapon of any kind . All such items will be confiscated by security and not returned.


 “ It brings us in line with other major festivals,” said Whoop up Days Exhibition Park Chief Operating Officer Mike Warkentin, noting he doesn’t anticipate any negative feedback from festival attendees.


“ It’s the same sort of security they have for events at the Enmax Centre,” he said.

 He noted organizers did a lot of research into marijuana use at other festivals. While it will be allowed, it will only be allowed in two designated areas by the Ex Stage — in a tent  in the premium ticket stage and another tent in the general admission area.

 


Pot is not allowed on the midway or anywhere else on the grounds.
There are a couple of other important changes this year. Parkside Drive will be closed as of Tuesday , Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. Until Sunday, Aug 25 at 1 p.m.


 Warkentin noted that is to ensure emergency vehicles have clear passage in and out of the grounds.
The other big change is  The Midway has been expanded to include three new rides.
There will be less parking as a result.


“So we‘re encouraging people to ride share or take public transportation,” Warkentin said, adding he didn’t believe that would cause the entry procedure to slow down.
 However, there will be a regular shuttle running every 45 minutes  at the Enmax Centre, where people can park their cars for free. It will cost five dollars to park  on site in the north lot and accessible through  Parkside Drive S and 34 S


 The shuttle will run every 45 minutes beginning at 3 p.m. every day and 1 p.m. on Saturday. The last shuttle leaves at 12:55 a.m.
 But whoop up Days is not all  rules and regulations.


 Whoop Up Days begins with the parade on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at  10 a.m. Spectators are encouraged to wear green in support of Logan Boulet’s family.
 Premium tickets have been a resounding success.
 They are sold out for Walk Off the Earth and Arkells.
“And we expect Corb Lund to sell out as well. But you can still have an amazing Whoop Up Days experience without buying a premium ticket,” Warkentin continued.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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