Whoop-Up Days puts the focus on the local community in 2025

An extra day of programming and new community-focused initiatives highlight new programming for 2025

Lethbridge, Alta. – Whoop-Up Days is getting bigger and better in 2025. With a focus on promoting the local community, there is something for everyone as the region’s largest summer fair returns to Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE) from Aug. 19-23, with an extra day of programming, known as Whoop-Up Wrap-Up on Aug. 24.

Familiar favourites returning to Whoop-Up Days include the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo presented by Dennis’ Dirtworx from Aug. 21-23, the Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant on Aug. 19 and Powwow on Aug. 20-21, the West Coast Amusements midway, and the Original 16 Stage presented by Great Western Brewing, which will be rocking for all five days, showcasing the best local Alberta musical talent, alongside headlining performances presented by Westco Construction from Canadian legends Trooper, multi-platinum selling country artist Chad Brownlee, ‘90s Canadian rockers Econoline Crush and local fan favourite Trevor Panczak.

New in 2025 is Whoop-Up Wrap-Up, an extra day of reduced programming on Sunday, Aug. 24, with just a $5 admission price that will feature the West Coast Amusements midway, food trucks presented by 1st Choice Savings and the Original 16 Beer Garden presented by BigSteelBox.

“We are always looking for ways to add new life to Whoop-Up Days and to ensure we are meeting our community’s needs,” says Kim Gallucci, Lethbridge & District Exhibition acting CEO. “With Whoop-Up Wrap-Up, we are answering to those in our community who have asked for an extra weekend day to take advantage of the midway and visit our food trucks. We will continue to find new ways to ensure Whoop-Up Days is representing our community in the best ways.”

Also new is a completely revamped Whoop-Up Days Marketplace and Family Fun Zone. Larger than previous years, the area continues to feature a wide selection of vendors from across western Canada, but new in the area this year is the Community Stage, which will feature an agriculture-themed magic show three times daily, an interactive kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull and local entertainers. As well, LDE is ensuring the organizations, not-for-profits and charities that make this community great are represented by offering free space in the Marketplace to local organizations.

“Whoop-Up Days is an event that needs to be inclusive of our entire community,” says Paul Kingsmith, Lethbridge & District Exhibition Director of Event Development. “By bringing these organizations to Whoop-Up Days we are helping to expose the great things happening in our community to a larger audience. This programming will complement the many great community breakfasts, BBQs and other events that take place during Whoop-Up Days every year.”

Returning in 2025 is Free ‘Til 3 fuelled by Gas King, an initiative launched last year that allows everyone onto the grounds for free from noon to 3 p.m. from Aug. 19-21. Admission tickets and West Coast Amusements unlimited ride wristbands will be available at Lethbridge and area Gas King locations beginning June 27. Admission tickets are also available online at whoopupdays.ca.

Programming in 2025 includes:

Original 16 Stage presented by Great Western Brewing

The Original 16 Stage presented by Great Western Brewing hosts an on-going party for all five days of Whoop-Up Days, with incredible entertainment included with gate admission. Headliners, presented by Westco Construction, include Trooper, Chad Brownlee, Econoline Crush and Trevor Panczak.

On Saturday, Aug. 23, the rodeo wrap-up party will be headlined by Chad Brownlee, a multi-award winning and multi-platinum artist who has scored more than 20 top-20 country hits in Canada over the past 15 years.

On Friday, Aug. 22, Canadian rock legends Trooper will take the stage, playing hits from a career that has made them one of Canada’s most successful bands of the past half-century. Songs like ‘We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)’, ‘Raise a Little Hell’, ‘General Hand Grenade’ and ‘Santa Maria’ have become Canadian rock radio staples. The night will also include support from ‘90s rockers Econoline Crush who have scored multiple Canadian rock radio hits.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, the stage will be programmed in conjunction with the Blackfoot Confederacy, including a headlining performance from Cree Métis blues rocker Bebe Buckskin presented by PCL Construction.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, hometown hero Trevor Panczak headlines the entertainment. A many-time Country Music Alberta award nominee, the Magrath native has made his name playing traditional country party songs. A local showcase on Tuesday, Aug. 19 will be headlined by Lethbridge’s own folk-rockers Starpainter.

Throughout the rest of the week, some of Alberta’s top independent artists will take the stage. The full Original 16 Stage lineup is available at whoopupdays.ca.

Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo presented by Dennis’ Dirtworx 

The Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo, returns from Aug. 19-23, following a record-breaking attendance year in 2024. One of Canada’s top 10 paying rodeos, the annual event features some of the top names in the rodeo world, including producer Kynan Vine and stock contractor Duane Kesler who have each been involved with multiple Canadian Finals Rodeos, Calgary Stampedes and many more of the sport’s top showcases.

Lethbridge’s burgeoning reputation and late-season scheduling make it an ideal stop for competitors, with World, Canadian and Calgary Stampede champions dotting the lineup each night. Of note, the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo is also the only CPRA rodeo in the country to include Relay Races, a thrilling traditional Indigenous competition, as part of each rodeo performance.

Each night of the rodeo comes with a special theme night that will include unique programming, special guests and more. Thursday is Allied Projects Blackfoot Confederacy Celebration Night, Friday is R-KO Truck Lines Family Night presented by 94.1 CJOC and 98.1 The Ranch and features $10 youth admission tickets, and Saturday is ATB Business Agriculture Community Night.

Rodeo tickets include admission to Whoop-Up Days and are on sale now.

Blackfoot Confederacy programming

Lethbridge’s location on Blackfoot Territory will once again be celebrated with a series of events through a partnership with the Blackfoot Confederacy. The Siksikaitsitapi Princess Pageant takes place on Aug. 19, followed by the Siksikaitsitapi Powwow on Aug. 20-21, where dancers, drummers and princess pageant contestants compete for more than $60,000 in prize money. As well, each night of the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo will be capped off with the always exciting Relay Races, a thrilling traditional Indigenous competition. The Blackfoot Confederacy will also program the Original 16 Stage on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Family fun for all ages

Whoop-Up Days brings together exciting entertainment for people of all ages. The Whoop-Up Days Parade presented by Park Place Shopping Centre kicks things off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19, starting at Park Place Shopping Centre. The parade’s theme is ‘Hometown Heroes,’ which celebrates the everyday champions who shape our future, who care for others, teach, coach, and help. People who represent different backgrounds and cultures. Those who embody the best of southern Alberta, both here at home and while representing us outside of the region.

The West Coast Amusements midway returns with more than 30 thrilling rides and games, including new rides never before seen in Lethbridge. The cheapest unlimited ride wristbands of the season can be purchased beginning June 27 at southern Alberta Gas King locations.

Other highlights include the return of Pure Power Wrestling’s Hot Summer Night event on Aug. 22, the new Extreme Lumberjacks show, which is appearing in Lethbridge for the first time; Jumbo Ears; the Whoop-Up Days Marketplace and Family Fun Zone in the Agri-food Hub & Trade Centre; the Food Truck Zone presented by 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union; the Fireworks Finale powered by ATB Wealth and West Coast Amusements on Aug. 23; and much more, with additional announcements in the coming months.

To learn more, visit whoopupdays.ca.