Whoop-Up Days
Whoop-Up Days is an annual 5-day exhibition and rodeo held in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada organized by the Lethbridge & [District Exhibition].
Held during the last full week of August, the event includes a parade through downtown, daily concerts, bull riding, a rodeo, an indoor and outdoor trade show, live-music, a midway, and citywide pancake breakfasts and barbecues.
In 2023, a record-breaking attendance at the event numbered 77,263. The previous record was set in 2007 when 69,964 visitors attended. Economic impact from the fair amounts to roughly $2.5 million spent by event operations, locals and visitors.
History
The first fair was held on 5 October 1897 at the agricultural grounds in Queen Victoria Park. It included stage presentations, travelling shows and horse racing.In 1904, eight years before the Calgary Stampede, the first large-scale rodeo was staged as part of Whoop-Up Days.
In 1912, the festival was moved to its current location on the Exhibition grounds east of Henderson Park.
There were cancellations in 1917–18 & 1942–45. A virtual event was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.