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
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Is it cold, flu or norovirus? Symptoms explained
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Search continues for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S.
Police say they continue to search for an armed man who allegedly threatened people in Dartmouth, N.S.
Swarm of bees delays Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles game in Arizona. An 'MVP' beekeeper came to the rescue
Major League Baseball fans had an unexpected buzz on Tuesday after a swarm of bees delayed the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game for around two hours.