By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Westerner Days 2018 ready to rock

Jul 17, 2018 | 3:30 PM

Nothing says summer in Red Deer like Westerner Days, which officially begins Wednesday with the annual parade through downtown.

The five-day fair and exposition has a lot in store this year for central Albertans and visitors alike, including two new rides and more main stage entertainment than there’s been in several years, according to Westerner Park CEO Ben Antifaiff.

“This is something we spend almost ten months a year planning for and over the past number of weeks, it’s gotten a lot more exciting,” he said Tuesday. “We’re feeling fabulous to be able to open the doors and welcome central Alberta to the fair tomorrow.”

To go along with two nights of country music, the TD Main Stage will feature Helix, Lee Aaron and Iron Buffalo on Thursday evening, presented by 106.7 The Drive.

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On Saturday, BIG 105 presents Dear Rouge, Virginia to Vegas and The Randi Boulton Band.

That lineup is just one of the things that should help bring in more fair-goers and hopefully help break the 100,000 attendance mark, says Antifaiff.

“Indications so far from other fairs, in particular [Calgary] Stampede, are that attendance was up. There was a lot of excitement and I think the fact that the economy is starting to improve a little bit is going to work well for us. We’re optimistic.”

rdnewsNOW presents the Grub Hub, where a vast array of traditional fair foods will be available.

BIG 105 is also presenting the Peavey Mart Discovery Barn, as well as the Cosmo’s Petting Zoo, which make up just a small portion of the ag-related programming that has increased due to on-site construction.

The hottest off-site event of Westerner Days is the BIG 105 and The Drive Chili Cook-Off which goes Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the London Drugs parking lot. Several teams will be competing to cook up the best chili and with the most unique ingredients. Proceeds from the event go to support the Kidney Foundation.

rdnewsNOW is also the presenting media sponsor for the Westerner Days parade, which gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Additionally, fireworks are scheduled for every night at 11 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday, weather permitting.

Visit WesternerDays.ca to learn more.