Here's what you can expect at Lethbridge's Whoop-Up Days 2024
Lethbridge’s largest festival will get underway in four months, with a variety of new and returning attractions.
Whoop-Up Days brought in a record 77,000 visitors in 2023, and while the Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) anticipates that number to be high again, the cost of admission is returning.
“It really comes down to the guest experience and to sustainability,” said Kim Gallucci, LDE’s acting CEO.
The Aug. 20-24 festival will feature the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo, West Coast Amusements midway, Original 16 Stage and the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant and Powwow.
“We’re able to do more,” Gallucci said. “We're able to offer more, especially with the bands and different things for people. Admission also allows us to ensure we have different areas covered and costs have come up – increase in security and all that.”
Whoop-Up Days will see an increase in the amount of live entertainment, covering five days rather than three.
Canadian band Big Sugar will rock the stage on the Friday night, while country band Emerson Drive will headline the final day on Saturday.
“The musical entertainment we’re able to add this year, the new rides from West Coast Amusement midway, the new family fun zone, we have all kinds of new things that we’re introducing, while still bringing that product forward,” said Paul Kingsmith, LDE’s director of community engagement.
This will be the first Whoop-Up Days since the City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge County took over the operation of the organization.
In January, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed to replace the board with city staff after the LDE failed to get additional funding to cover construction costs.
With Whoop-Up Days acting as the LDE’s largest event, Gallucci said it was paramount to host it.
He explained that it's currently costing $7 million to run the facility for one year. He expects to bring in $4.4 million in revenue, with a deficit of $3.5 million in 2024.
“The other side is the expense side and we’re starting to control that a lot more in building some efficiencies,” Gallucci said.
“With a new building, you always have to figure out what works best and how you can flow things in and out better.”
With admission returning, the LDE wants to keep the event as family-friendly as possible. With the support of Gas King, Whoop-Up Days will be free to attend from open to 3 p.m. on August 20-22.
“If we’re going to re-introduce admission, we need to provide value and make sure that what they're getting and the experience they're getting is worth it,” Kingsmith said.
Admission will be $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. Children 12 and under get in free.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Guilty: Trump becomes first former U.S. president convicted of felony crimes
Donald Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Robert Miller was charged Thursday with several sexual assault charges after Montreal police reopened an investigation into the tech billionaire.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
NDP wants Liberals to scrap proposed election date change that could secure pensions for many MPs
The federal New Democrats want to amend the Liberal government's electoral reform legislation to scrap the proposal to push back the vote by a week and consequently secure pensions for dozens of MPs, CTV News has learned.
'I didn't think it was real': Oilers fans score free Game 4 tickets from stranger
There's always something to be happy about when the Edmonton Oilers are making good strides in the playoffs, but this is especially true for two lucky fans who were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Game 4 — for free.
Aurora borealis returning to night skies across Canada this Friday: NOAA
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
Doug Ford suggests immigrants behind Jewish school shooting
Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested immigrants are to blame for the shooting of an empty Jewish school in Toronto over the weekend, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects.
Man stabbed in both legs with a machete in Times Square
A man was stabbed in both legs with a machete at New York's Times Square on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Drive one of these vehicles? You may pay 37 per cent more than average insurance costs due to thefts
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.