Good news everybody, Whoop Up Days is back with a full slate of activities including a full music program.
And best of all, admission to the grounds will be free as Whoop Up Days, Aug. 22-26, begins with the parade Aug. 22.
Whoop Up Days was finding its footing again after the pandemic, so this year, some of the favourite events return plus a few new ones.
West Coast Amusements will have more than 30 rides on the midway , open beginning at noon, Aug. 22 and running until midnight. There will be food trucks and the Whoop up Days marketplace will be in the new 268,000 square foot Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre, which will host the market and several other events.
The Global Pet Foods’ SuperDogs perform four free shows every day.
There will also be a full music program, but acts have not been announced.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet,” said Paul Kingsmith, Exhibition Park Senior manager of communications and marketing.
The Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo will be Aug. 24-26. Each night will be capped off with the Warrior Relayraces which was a popular addition to the event last year.
“Rodeo’s roots run deep in Southern Alberta and we are proud that the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo has quickly become one of the CPRA’s premiere events,” said Lethbridge & District Exhibition CEO Mike Warkentin.
“Rodeo and western culture are celebrated nightly in an exciting spectacle that keeps fans on the edge of their seats,” he continued adding The Lethbridge pro rodeo is popular among professional cowboys as it is near the end of the rodeo season so it is one of the last chances to get qualifying points for the finals as well as get a piece of the $80,000 price money up for grabs.
Tickets are on sale now for the rodeo, with special pricing fro students and seniors.
There will be a lot of First Nations participation this year.
Also returning is the Siksikaitsitapi Pow Wow and Princess Pageant, Aug. 22-24, featuring drummers, dancers and pageant contestants competing for some of the $60,000 prize money.
And , new this year Blood Tribe Ag Society Rodeo Series Finals will be Aug. 22-23.
“ There really will be something for everyone,” Warkentin said at a May 3 press briefing, noting people have been gathering at the Exhibition Park for 126 years, since 1897, other than during the two world wars.
“ We had pro rodeo in lethbridge in 1904, which pre-dates the Calgary Stampede,” Warkentin observed.
Blackfoot Elder Leonard Weasel Traveller said the Blackfoot community is honoured to be part of Whoop Up days, saying a prayer for peace and health to everybody.
“We wish everyone nothing but success” he said, after relating some Blackfoot history and talking about Blackfoot culture, then saying a Blackfoot blessing.
A fireworks display will bring the show to a close, Aug. 26.
—By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor