Exhibition Park is reimagining things for their 125th anniversary as all of their most popular events return this season.
“We’re paying a lot of attention to appealing to a wider demographic,” said Exhibition Park CEO Mike Warkentin, noting there will be more focus on planning culinary experiences, traditional Blackfoot experiences as well as a focus on Lethbridge and area art at all events, though the details are to be announced.
Whoop Up Days returns, complete with pro rodeo, Aug. 23-27, but they won’t be bringing in any touring acts to perform.
“Because of Covid and construction ( of the new agriculture centre) we won’t be having a main stage. So we will likely be featuring all local music in scope again,” Warkentin said.
“The 2022 fair will launch a brand-new art show to showcases Southern Alberta’s vibrant arts community, our local artists, and the creatives who capture what it means to live, work and play in Southern Alberta. The art experience will allow local artists to sell their artwork while attendees shop and stop by the wine bar. Attendees will be invited to wander through the fair and find entertainment from Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, The Strolling Piano, Extreme Dogs, The Kids Pedal Tractor Pull Show and a Family Show,” he outlined at a media call, advancing the new season.
He noted 400,000 guests gather at Exhibition Park for the events.
“ Exhibition Park has always been a big supporter in the community. Our events help drive the local economy including hotel reservation and the restaurant business in Lethbridge” he said.
The first event is the Ag Expo, scheduled for March 2-4. It is presented by Farm Credit Canada and the North American Seed Fair presented by FortisAlberta.The farming industry and regional community of growers, producers and processors are invited to trade and invest in Lethbridge.
The agriculture scholarship dinner, presented by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge East & Lethbridge & District Exhibition will also take place during Ag-Expo, featuring special guest speaker Todd Orman, recognized as Canadian Western Agribition’s Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture, followed by 50/50 Raffle and Silent Auction.
A new event is a running 50 50 draw which begins at the beginning of the season and ends at the end of the last event. The Lethbridge & District Exhibition Lotteries Program will launch ahead of our Signature Event season as we celebrate 125 years in the community. The lotteries program will provide a guaranteed prize-incentivized lottery pool of $125,000 to generate participation and earnings from Albertans across the province for the chance to win BIG in our 125th year. This new program will continue to grow throughout the year with new incentives and opportunities to win. The draw will be held at the end of the season.
The Southern Alberta Home & Garden Show presented by Lethbridge & District Exhibition & BILD Lethbridge Region kicks off the spring season, March 30-April 2. This year’s program features keynote speaker and author Lyndon Penner–a traveler, environmentalist and backyard expert and Elder William Singer III who will guide attendees through the use of Indigenous plants in our region.
This event features locally-grown businesses like Charmed Playhouses, who launched their business at this show. This year’s Home and Garden show features the “Who Bilds It Best Competition” which will have industry professionals and talented students competing to showcase their building skills.
The Lethbridge Farmer’s Market returns to Exhibition Park every Saturday from May 7-Oct. 22. The market is is an iconic staple in Southern Alberta which welcomes over 54,000 guests each season. Attendees can meet the producers and growers who farm Alberta’s land while sampling unique food from our culinary team. The downtown Wednesday Market will also return to the downtown core in partnership with the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ annual Farmer’s Market. Guests are encouraged to join the market.
Summer smells like barbecue as the Smoke, Wind & Fire master series barbecue competition happens July 23-24. It is a partnership between Lethbridge & District Exhibition and Alberta Pork and Hickory Street for the two-day festival recognizing the skills and expertise of grill masters across the province.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
