Countdown is on to Whoop Up Days as Lethbridge and District Exhibition announce protocols
With only a few days left before Whoop Up Days, the Lethbridge and District Exhibition has released a list of safety protocols aimed at delivering what they describe as a “safe, responsible and healthy” event.
Everyone attending the festival will have their temperature checked upon arrival, masks will be highly encouraged, and there will be an emphasis placed on sanitization.
All Lethbridge and District Exhibition staff will undergo mandatory rapid testing each day, and a negative result will be required before staff begin their shift.
“We’re excited to have people back on the grounds, because that’s what we are all about, is gathering the community,” said Lethbridge and District Exhibition C.E.O. Mike Warkentin.
“But wanting to do that in a safe and responsible way was our key priority,” he added.
WILD ROSE SHOWS ON THE MIDWAY
The midway arrived Monday and workers are busy assembling the rides. Alberta based Wild Rose Shows is offering about 50 attractions for the three-day long Whoop Up Days festival.
“We combine our shows here,” said Wild Rose Shows owner Michael Kryzanowski.
Whoop Up Days
He said the travelling carnival is usually divided in half, so they can operate two fairs in one weekend, but they have brought all 26 rides to Lethbridge.
“Everything we have is laid down here,” added Kryzanowski.
The midway operators have been on the road since July 1, amusing fair goers throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.
According to Kryzanowski, attendance at the fairs this summer has been double what most events would normally see.
“People missed out on all the events last year,” said Kryzanowski. “I think maybe they are double excited to get out there and line up and go to the midway and have a little carnival food and see the rides.”
NO ADMISSION CHARGE
Another factor that will likely help boost attendance is there will be no admission charge to get into the fair.
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition said it was committed to putting on a community celebration that would provide a positive experience for people who have gone through so much over the past year and a half.
With protocols in place, organizers said there would be a strict zero-tolerance policy for any verbal or physical abuse toward those who are implementing the rules.
Warkentin said that policy is simply to protect the environment for staff, volunteers and guests who are attending the festival.
“We’re not taking a stance on COVID-19. We are trying to do what is best to protect everyone coming to our site,” he added.
The modified festival opens Thursday afternoon, with the Midway, Festival Street, Music, Marketplace and Hickory Street Patio.
All of the information is available on the Lethbridge and District Exhibition website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.