Latest news with #LethbridgeandDistrictExhibition
Global News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Canada Day celebrations expanding in Lethbridge
Every year, people across the country gather to celebrate Canada Day. However, with a growing population comes an outgrowing of space. This is an issue directly affecting Lethbridge, a city that usually comes together at Henderson Lake to show pride in Canada. After an estimated 12,000 residents filled the park last year, the City of Lethbridge determined more real estate was required. 'We were kind of limited in the parkland space that we had,' said Sarah Burton, chairperson of the Canada Day Committee with the City of Lethbridge. 'We really noticed, especially with the rain last year, a negative impact on the parkland itself. We've had to limit the number of food trucks every year a little bit more and we really wanted to be able to bring a better, bigger event for the community.' Story continues below advertisement Burton is a 16-year veteran of the Canada Day Committee and she's seen firsthand how the festivities have evolved. So, this year, the committee decided to bring forward a major evolution, while still keeping the tradition of partying at Henderson Lake. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Much of the event will remain where it always has been, but now, for the first time, portions of the celebration will take place at the exhibition grounds. This include the music stage and dance floor. View image in full screen A map showing where events are for Canada Day in Lethbridge. City of Lethbridge 'People coming to the site will find it just breathes a little better,' said Paul Kingsmith, director of event development with Lethbridge and District Exhibition. 'There's a little bit more space and it kind of allows all those familiar activities that everybody loves about Canada Day to be in a new and exciting location,' Story continues below advertisement One big addition, literally, will be access to the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre, which could be crucial with high temperatures in the weather forecast. Related News Busy travel weekend ahead of Canada Day 'You can come in and beat the heat for a while, Kingsmith said. 'There's air conditioning inside. There's the bathrooms inside and we have some additional activities and food options inside the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre…. Spreading out that footprint just makes for a better experience for Canada Day.' Kingsmith says the rising trend of Canadian patriotism, along with Canadians opting to remain in the country more this summer could also contribute to a bigger turnout. Burton shares that view and says the celebration is perfect for those happy to be in Lethbridge. 'Canada is an amazing place to be. Lethbridge is an amazing place to be,' she said. 'We have such a diverse culture here, so it's really a good time to come and celebrate all the cultures in Lethbridge in one spot and just celebrate being a Lethbridgian and a Canadian.' While the big party starts rocking mid-day at Henderson Lake and the exhibition grounds, a pancake breakfast at Galt Gardens at will kick off Canada Day celebrations at 9 a.m. The breakfast will be followed by the annual party in the park, hosted by the Interfaith Food Bank. Everything from Galt Gardens to Henderson Lake and the exhibition is described as family friendly. Assuming everything goes to plan, the city will launch fireworks in the evening to top off the fun.
Global News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Whoop-Up Days could be bigger than ever, tourism expert says
The 2025 Whoop-Up Days programming has been announced, with headlining acts such as Trooper and Chad Brownlee set to take the stage in Lethbridge, Alta., this August. Organizers say they've made a concerted effort to ensure Canadian and even local talent is at the forefront this year, while also making the show better than ever. 'We try to make it a little bit better and a little bit bigger each year and this year, I think we've done that,' said Paul Kingsmith, director of event development at Lethbridge and District Exhibition. He says the 'stay local' movement that was born out of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and statements against Canada has simply helped their cause, as opposed to directly sparking it. 'It's nice that it worked out that way, that maybe there is more of a local focus this year, but it's something that we'd been thinking about for quite a while.' Story continues below advertisement For Dominika Wojcik, the senior director of communications at Tourism Lethbridge, Whoop-Up Days could be an even bigger boost for other businesses in the city this year. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'With a festival experience like this, (visitors) can come, they can enjoy the day at Whoop-Up Days, they can have some fun on the midway, check out the acts. But then they can also go out to dinner, they can also go shopping and checkout Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, which is just down the street from (the fair grounds). I think it's a really great opportunity for people to come and see more than just what's here and it's a huge gateway for that,' she said. In fact, Wojcik says it could be the biggest year ever. 'Maybe Whoop-Up Days is that excuse now to stay home because we know there's something fun and exciting going on. We have some great acts that were just announced, so, I really think that this year we could see a really high number and maybe double what we saw last year.' The height of Whoop-Up Days attendance was in 2023 when admission was free. Over 75,000 people walked the midway that year, but it tapered off significantly last year with around 40,000 buying tickets as the event returned to a paid model. Even so, the economic impact cannot be overstated. Paired with the summer festival is the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo, which is a financial driver for the entire city, according to its executive producer. Story continues below advertisement 'We're probably anywhere between $11 million and $15 million in a six-day, five-day event. Of course, bringing in the pro rodeo makes it even more so by having all those competitors coming in and staying in our hotels and spending money on fuel and all those types of things. So, it's huge,' said Kynan Vine. He says communities often overlook the value of rodeos. 'There's probably not many other events happening every single year in Lethbridge that have an impact in the tens of millions of dollars.' This year, Whoop-Up Days runs from Aug. 19-23, with a special first-of-its-kind wrap-up day on the 24th, a Sunday. The 'Whoop-Up Wrap-Up' will have a limited amount of programs for the final day. Returning this year is the 'Free 'til 3: fueled by Gas King' initiative from Aug. 19-21, giving free access to the fair before 3:00 p.m. every day. The midway will once again be operated by West Coast Amusements, with over 30 rides and games, including some never-before-seen attractions. The Whoop-Up Day parade will kick things off at 9:00 on Aug. 19, snaking its way through Lethbridge. For more details on the programming, including every artist performing, information can be found at
Global News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Pickleball tournament brings more than 200 athletes to Lethbridge
Pickleball took centre court in Lethbridge over the weekend as more than 200 athletes from across Alberta, southeastern B.C. and Saskatchewan participated in a high-energy, three-day tournament hosted at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre. The event, a first for southern Alberta, was organized by the Lethbridge and Coaldale pickleball clubs in partnership with the Lethbridge and District Exhibition. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Players of all ages and skill levels competed in singles, doubles and mixed events from May 2 to May 4. A youth showcase on Friday was in the spotlight early on, featuring 25 junior athletes and underlining the sport's growing popularity among younger generations. 'The play was fantastic. It really shows the growth and the interest the sport has with the youth of our community,' said Klaus Witzke, president of the Lethbridge Pickleball Club. While competition was fierce, community and connection were front and centre for many participants. Story continues below advertisement Organizers said a strong turnout has inspired them to plan for an even larger event in the future, with the hope of hosting a provincial or even national tournament in the years ahead.
