Exhibition Park, Multi-purpose event facility in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Exhibition Park is a multi-purpose event facility in Lethbridge that spans across a large area and houses several buildings for different purposes. The grounds are used for trade shows, concerts, and agricultural exhibitions that take place throughout the year.
The Lethbridge & District Exhibition was established in 1897 as the Lethbridge & District Agricultural Society, organized by farmers, ranchers and citizens to promote agriculture and commerce. In 1912 the city hosted the World Dry Farming Congress at the grounds, which were expanded for the event and reached by a streetcar line from the CPR station. The new Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre opened on August 8, 2023, after a $70.5-million project; a $6.4-million annual deficit then led the City of Lethbridge to remove the CEO and board and take over operations.
The name Whoop-Up Days comes from Fort Whoop-Up, the whisky-trading post that gave early Lethbridge its reputation. The annual summer fair is the park's largest event, joined by Ag Expo, a weekly Farmers' Market and the Country Christmas Craft Show. The grounds were first organized in 1897 by farmers, ranchers and citizens to promote agriculture and commerce.
The grounds are active at different times throughout the year depending on scheduled events, so checking the current program in advance is worthwhile. The area is relatively easy to access, but parking can be limited during large events, so arriving early is helpful.
The 2023 Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre added 24,898 m2 of multipurpose space, but its cost brought a $6.4 million annual deficit; the City of Lethbridge then removed the CEO and board and took over operations.
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