Taber receives Kraft Hockeyville prize at Cornfest’s opening night

The annual Cornfest has returned to the town of Taber, and it’s reportedly bigger than it ever has been before.

The 41^st edition of the so-called largest free family festival in western Canada got underway with the cross-town parade. Town officials say there were an estimated 70 floats that marched pass thousands of onlookers on Thursday afternoon.

As for the fairgrounds, the town has been able to secure a new midway in partnership with West Coast Amusements, boosting ride and entertainment options to new levels. The town’s mayor, Andrew Prokop, says there’s about an additional 27 rides this year compared to last.

To cap off Thursday night, the opening ceremonies included the long-awaited cheque presentation from Kraft Hockeyville.

The town of Taber was the winner of the national contest that featured a $250,000 prize and a chance to host an NHL preseason game. The money will go towards arena upgrades, following last December’s explosion that put the Taber Community Centre’s arena and curling rink out of commission. Taber celebrated the reopening of the Large Ice surface last month and has restarted its hockey programs.