Gate admission to Whoop-Up Days will be free for the first time this year. May 3, 2023 (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Admission to Whoop-Up Days free in 2023

May 3, 2023 | 1:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Whoop-Up Days is introducing free gate admission for the first time in 2023.

The announcement was made on the morning of May 3, 2023, at Heritage Hall in Lethbridge, which also revealed the return of the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo and other events during the festival, which runs from August 22-26.

Mike Warkentin, Lethbridge & District Exhibition CEO, said, “It makes sense for everyone to be here, everyone can be involved in any way they want to be involved, so that’s what led to our decision to go free moving forward and to be honest we couldn’t be more excited for what it will mean.”

This year’s festivities will see the use of the brand new Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre. The 268,000 square foot building will host multiple attractions over the five-day festival.

Lethbridge’s location on Blackfoot Territory will once again be celebrated with a series of events through a partnership with the Blackfoot Confederacy. The Siksikaitsitapi Pow Wow and Princess Pageant are happening from August 22-24, with dancers, drummers and princess pageant contestants competing for the top prize of more than $60,000.

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In addition, each night of the Rodeo will finish off with the Warrior Relay Races, and the Blood Tribe Ag Society Finals Rodeo will debut.

Kirby Smith, director of the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, said the event is a great chance to make connections and strengthen relationships.

He added, “It is an opportunity for us as Blackfoot people, the Siksikaitsitapi, to really introduce ourselves to the community and to have the community ask questions about who we are and what we bring to the table.”

Other programming coming to Whoop-Up Days in 2023 includes the Whoop-Up Days Parade on August 22; West Coast Amusements Midway, the return of live music, food trucks and beer gardens, and the introduction of Global Pet Foods’ Superdogs dog show, among other events.

More announcements about Whoop-Up Days, including music and entertainment, will be announced in the coming months.

Applications for the parade, food trucks, vendors and buskers are now open on the Whoop-Up Days website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now