Attendance spikes at Whoop-Up Days and Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo

Large crowds and new records bring the community together at southern Alberta’s largest summer fair

Lethbridge, Alta. – A sun-kissed six-day run has resulted in new modern paid attendance records at Whoop-Up Days and the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo. A total of 54,865 people attended the event, setting a new modern-day attendance record, a 36 per cent increase over the previous record set in 2024. Whoop-Up Days took place from Aug. 19-23, with a new additional day known as Whoop-Up Wrap-Up taking place on Aug. 24.

The Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo presented by Dennis’ Dirtworx is also setting the pace as one of Lethbridge’s fastest growing events, with a new record of 9,075 people taking in the three days of pro rodeo and relay racing action, a 47 per cent increase from 2024’s previous record. Saturday’s finale brought in 3,582 fans, smashing the previous single-day attendance of 2,671 set last year.

“We are humbled by the response from our community and the striking increase in our guest numbers,” says Kim Gallucci, Acting CEO, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “We work to provide a fair that offers something for everyone and the large crowds we see at the rodeo, at our music stage, on our midway and around our other program areas shows we are achieving that goal. I want to thank our entire community for their support and the commitment they have shown in us heading into 2026.”

Contributing to the record crowds were Free ‘Til 3 Fuelled by Gas King, which offered free admission to the park until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo presented by Dennis’ Dirtworx, which had three of the four largest single-day crowds in the event’s four-year history; headliner entertainment on the Original 16 Stage presented by Westco Construction, including a huge crowd for Trooper and Econoline Crush on Aug. 22, Chad Brownlee on Aug. 23, and Trevor Panczak on Aug. 20; the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant and Powwow, which is estimated to have brought more than 1,000 people to the event; and new ride offerings from the always-popular West Coast Amusements midway.

“The growth in attendance we’ve seen over the past few years at Whoop-Up Days pushes us to ensure we’re growing with our community and working to provide new and expanded opportunities,” says Paul Kingsmith, Director, Event Development, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “We’re constantly evaluating all aspects of the show with the goal of providing a great guest experience. With the fifth anniversary of both the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo and the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow in 2026, we know it will be an exciting year ahead and we hope to continue growing Whoop-Up Days.”

New in 2025 was Whoop-Up Wrap-Up, a midway-focused experience on Sunday, Aug. 24, which drew more than 1,000 people to the grounds for the West Coast Amusements midway, food trucks and the Original 16 Beer Garden.

Planning is already underway for Whoop-Up Days 2026, which will take place from Aug. 18-22, while the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo will run from Aug. 20-22. More information about Whoop-Up Days is available at whoopupdays.ca.