Central Alberta’s largest summer celebration is about to take over Red Deer.
Westerner Days Fair & Exposition is back for another five days offering action-packed entertainment, thrills, and chills for the whole family.
“It’s going to be a fabulous week,” said John Harms, Westerner Park CEO and general manager.
Harms said the weather looks good, the entertainment line-up is outstanding and the midway rides are extensive.
“You get weather entertainment and rides and you have the makings for a good fair.”
The annual fair runs from July 17 to 21 and features performances by comedian Brent Butt, Canadian Juno winners Glass Tiger, Toronto’s Down with Webster and Canadian country artist Dean Brody at the Hampton Inn and Suites Main Stage at the ENMAX Centrium at Westerner Park.
Local businesses will also get into the swing of things offering special events throughout the fair.
For the young and young at heart, there’s 39 midway rides on the fairgrounds, including 16 “thrill rides” and nine especially for children.
Once again the Grub Hub, outdoor food truck concessions, is poised to serve up treats and meals with vendors like When Mac Met Cheese and the Hot Chihuahua Mexican Grill.
Foodies will also enjoy the tastes of frozen bananas, taco-in-a-bag and western fare like barbecued beef, corn on the cob and hot dogs.
Other Westerner Days attractions include The KFC Little Red Barn and Ag Awareness, The West Coast Lumberjacks Show and Wobbly Waterballs on Midway Boulevard, along with Bonadolini, the one-man band, The Copper Cowboy and My Antique Portrait.
Promo Days
Mark July 18 and July 21 on your calendar. McDonald’s Kids Days is slated for July 18 where there’s free admission for children under 12 until 6 p.m. Servus Credit Family Day is on July 21where admission and parking is $25 for a carload up to six people. Children under 10 can ride all day on the midway for $15.
Tickets
Gate admission is $11 ($6 for seniors age 65 and up/$9 for youths age 13 to 17/$5 for children age 6 to 12), kids five and under are free). On-site parking is $6. Unlimited ride tickets are $37 on site (does not include admission or parking charges).
Advanced ride-all-day (RAD) passes can be purchased for $32 at participating Mac’s locations from June 14 to July 16.
Westerner Days Off-Site Picks
• Breakfast will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bower Place Shopping Centre Westerner Days Pancake Breakfast on Saturday.
• Come early to secure a good spot for taking in the popular Westerner Parade on Wednesday. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and is expected to run until noon. The route is the same as in previous years starting at the Red Deer Arena.
• Get ready to kick up your heels. The Red Deer Centennial Westerner Days Barn Dance on Tuesday. The fun gets underway at 6 p.m. at the 4900 block on Little Gaetz Avenue.
• Test your best chili recipe at the Big 105 and 106.7 The Drive Westerner Days Chili Cook Off on Thursday.
The annual cook off is in support of the Kidney Foundation of Canda.
The location for the event is 109, 2004 50th Ave. and the event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Full schedule is available at ww.westernerdays. ca.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com