Whoop-Up Days breaks attendance records

Exhibition Park broke an attendance record for this year’s Whoop-Up Days. Over the five-day fair last week, 77, 263 visitors walked through the gates to take in the festivities. Officials say the attendance is more than 160 per cent higher than the six-year average. Mike Warkentin, CEO of Lethbridge and District Exhibition, believes a big contributor to the record breaker was the free admission they offered to get into the park.   

“What we had always said when we made that call was that we wanted it to be accessible for everyone, and we certainly saw the success of doing so. And then the other two factors that played in, I think there was a lot of curiosity about the Agri Food Hub and Trade Centre, and literally thousands of people got the opportunity to see and experience this venue that we’re standing today. And lastly, we couldn’t have had better weather for all five days. Yes, it quite literally rained on our parade a little bit, but shortly after that, the clouds cleared and we had five perfect days of weather for the fair close.”

Warkentin says planning has already begun for next year’s Whoop-Up Days which also includes looking at offering free admission once again.