Three times the entertainment, including the Juno-nominated Johnny Reid, Trooper and Marianas Trench! More midway rides than ever, as well as exciting chuckwagon races and agriculture shows! A greener environment!
These are just some of the draws Westerner Days organizers are hoping will attract 90,000 people to “Central Alberta’s largest summer celebration,” which runs July 21 to 25 at Westerner Park.
“We want people to contact their friends through Facebook, email or texting — and we want them to arrange to come down to Westerner Days to have some real time, some face time, together,” said marketing manager Erin Gobolos at Tuesday’s launch of the 2010 fair lineup at Bower Place Shopping Centre.
First off, there will be four evenings of “awesome entertainment” on the main Centrium stage — Canadian rockers Trooper on Wednesday, Harmon B and DJ Kwake mixin’ the hits at the Kraze Birthday Bash on Thursday, pop-punkers Marianas Trench on Friday, and platinum-selling hit-maker Johnny Reid (for an extra $30 ticket) on Saturday night.
Gobolos promised a wider range of live entertainment at this year’s fair with two more stages than usual. The new Molson Canadian Ranch stage, set up in the beer gardens, will feature internationally recognized talent, including The Higgins, Hey Romeo, One More Girl and Jessie Farrell. As well, up-and-coming performers such as Denver Daines, Domino, the Boom Chucka Boys and Cole Malone will also be in the lineup.
Innisfail-native Daines, whose hits Seventeen and Big Old World are getting radio play, said he’s looking forward to playing at the fair. “It’s a lot of exposure so close to home.”
There’s also a new stage at the revamped Artistic Expressions pavilion, which will feature bluegrass playing, country-folk music, live theatre, flamenco guitar and square dancing. Performers include Micah Turchet, Cort Delano, Donna Durand, Randi Bolton, Ross Stafford and Dani-Lynn Trentham.
Painters, potters and other artists will do demonstrations at revived Artistic Expressions pavilion. Gobolos said changes to the old arts and crafts venue were made after public surveys showed people wanted more interactive options, rather than static displays. “I really think we’re going to reach a demographic we didn’t reach before.”
As usual, the midway is expected to be a big draw. This year, there are 42 rides — two more than last year and the most ever. The new rides are called Vertigo and Sideshow Bob.
There will be 56 wagons in the chuckwagon races, which go at 6 p.m. daily except for Sunday, when they are on from 2 p.m.
Besides the usual wealth of livestock shows, a casino and various commercial displays in the 19th Street Market, there’s also the Sunny Family Zone, which has an additional entertainment stage this year and midway rides for the whole family.
Live daily shows include Living Dragons — Lizards of the World, Doo Doo the Clown, Bobs and Lolo, and the winners of the Northern Star Talent Search.
Westerner Park president Wendy Barnes estimates the fair will create $7.3 million of economic impact over five days. Of that, about $5 million is spent by visitors, exhibitors and contractors who come to the city for Westerner Days, since almost half the visitors come from outside Red Deer.
This year, the site has been redesigned to provide more parking, new entry gates — and more trees and greenery.
Gate tickets will be the same price as last year, as is the $6 parking. Ticket to Ride passes, including gate admission and unlimited midway rides, are $27 until July 20 at participating Fas Gas and Fas Gas Plus Locations.
For more information, call 403-343-7800 or visit www.westernerdays.ca
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com