New local food harkens back to the past while looking to the future at Whoop-Up Days

New Jumbo Bites reinvigorate a Whoop-Up Days classic, while 6th Street Sweets brings new offerings to Whoop-Up Days

Lethbridge, Alta. – Food and fairs go hand-in-hand, just as they have for more than a century. This year at Whoop-Up Days, Lethbridge & District Exhibition and LA Chefs are leaning on that history to usher in an exciting new era of tasty treats that will be available on the grounds. A new product, Jumbo Bites, will headline these new locally-inspired food brands, which will collectively be known as 6^th Street Sweets, celebrating the city’s long history of gathering together at Whoop-Up Days. 

The new offerings begin with Jumbo Bites, a re-imagining of the classic Jumbo Ears, which have been a part of Whoop-Up Days for generations. Jumbo Bites bring the classic Jumbo Ears flavour with a new twist, pairing the beloved fried Bannock coated in cinnamon and sugar with a selection of tasty new chocolate, caramel or strawberry dips. In taste tests, the Jumbo Bites have earned rave reviews.

“Jumbo Bites are going to change the game when it comes to locally-produced fair food,” says Deborah Gordon, Director of Client Services, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “Jumbo Bites maintain the integrity of the original Jumbo Ear, but are now, shareable, packaged and prepared in a more fair-friendly fashion. The food preparation infrastructure to create Jumbo Ears was aging and outdated, providing us the opportunity to create something new, sustainable, locally-produced and for a good cause. We know they’ll be a Whoop-Up Days favourite. LA Chefs will be pioneering the creation of the new dips that will provide future local partnership opportunities in our community.”

Jumbo Bites continues the tradition of giving back to the community, as the Lethbridge Longhorns baseball program will be the charitable partner of the program, preparing and serving Jumbo Bites in exchange for a share of the proceeds. The Longhorns are a high school baseball academy that brings together top-end local players to better prepare them to advance in the game.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to once again earn funds that continue to advance our program,” says Carlin Dick, Head Coach, Lethbridge High School Baseball Academy.

6^th Street Sweets

Jumbo Bites will be part of a brand-new food activation at Whoop-Up Days known as 6^th Street Sweets. Lethbridge’s historic Streetcar Number 8, the last remaining streetcar from The Lethbridge Municipal Railway Streetcars system which connected the city from 1912 to 1947, will be placed on the midway and provide the centerpiece for a new food area that puts a modern spin on traditional fair favourites, showcasing history, while looking to the future.

In addition to Jumbo Bites, 6^th Street Sweets will feature local street corn on the cob. Choose from corn drenched in classic butter, Mexican or Korean flavours, or satisfy your sweet tooth with caramel popcorn from community pillar, The Movie Mill. As well, a dirty soda shop, featuring scoop ice cream and floats brought to you by Crystal Springs Dairy Company and Coca-Cola will provide a cool summer treat. Created in partnership with LA Chefs, 6^th Street Sweets is also supported by partnerships with Richardson Oilseed, Wholesale Club, putting the focus on local business and ingredients.

“We want to highlight more of the history of Whoop-Up Days, the Exhibition grounds and our city, which is where the idea to put Streetcar Number 8 onto the midway came from,” says Gordon. “The streetcar barn was located just off 6^th St. S., and through to this day, 6^th St. is an area at the heart of our downtown, a place to gather, share community and snack on classic treats that harken back to an earlier time in Lethbridge’s history. Food ties into those memories and creates a strong connection that we can’t wait to celebrate when guests try our delicious new offerings at Whoop-Up Days. We hope 6^th Street Sweets will continue to attract local partners inspired by innovation.”

Jumbo Bites and 6^th Street Sweets will be available during Whoop-Up Days from Aug. 19-23 and during Whoop-Up Wrap-Up on Aug. 24. Just look for the streetcar on the midway. Advanced priced tickets to Whoop-Up Days are available now online and at Lethbridge and Picture Butte Gas King locations.

Learn more at whoopupdays.ca.