By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Westerner Days going back to its roots for 2018

May 3, 2018 | 3:43 PM

Westerner Days is going back its roots for 2018.

Officials say this year’s fair from July 18-22 is geared toward preserving our heritage with a modern twist.

Westerner Park CEO Ben Antifaiff says successfully bidding for CFR helped in going with a western theme this year, and he believes the fair will be one to remember.

“I think the economy actually supports things like Westerner Days because it makes it really easy to enjoy an activity for families and stay home and maybe not incur the expense of travel,” he said at a press event on Thursday. “As well as offering deep discounts online, we’ve held the price on the RAD (ride all day) passes, as they’re the same price as the last two years. We’ve held the price on our family day and we’ve also extended the ride all day pass for kids to 12 and under.”

Antifaiff adds that although construction on the park’s south side may not be very sightly, it means more space for activities in 2019.

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Festivities kick off on July 18 at 9:30 a.m. with the annual Westerner Days Parade presented by rdnewsNOW. The week then rolls on with an expansive lineup of musical talent and activities for families to enjoy.

This year, the Grub Hub is also presented by rdnewsNOW with more than 20 vendors offering up delicious eats.

The musical lineup features four nights of live tunes on the Main Stage including Iron Buffalo, Lee Aaron and Helix on July 19, presented by 106.7 The Drive. On July 21, BIG 105 presents The Randi Boulton Band, Virginia to Vegas and Dear Rouge.

Weather permitting, each night of music will be capped off by fireworks.

BIG 105 also presents this year’s Peavey Mart Discovery Barn, where visitors will have a brand new opportunity to learn about things that go neigh, moo, cluck and quack.

Additionally, Share the Fair is back and proudly presented by rdnewsNOW. Share the Fair involves entertainers from the fair going to the Red Deer Regional Hospital and Ronald McDonald House to perform for patients and their families.

We All Play is also back and will be providing a number of families with complimentary admission to the fair.

Lastly, organizers were happy to share that this year will feature more than 40 rides including the new Expo Wheel and the returning Zipper.

Tickets for Westerner Days 2018 are available now on TicketsAlberta.