Monster trucks and elite ag competitions take over the Border City as the annual Lloyd Ex Fair officially kicks off.
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Running from July 8 to 11, the four-day exhibition expects to draw up to 30,000 visitors to the grounds. Organizers say this year’s lineup represents a massive step forward in entertainment scale and community collaboration.
“This week is a full year of planning,” said Jackie Tomayer, general manager of the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association. “Entertainment is booked a year in advance. The last few months are really putting those final details, getting in your volunteers, getting entries and making sure everything is set up and ready to go.”
New to the grandstand, the “Farmer Games” are co-ordinated with Rene Weinkauf of World Class Gym. The event will showcase tests of human strength alongside the agricultural society’s staple heavy horse show.
“We’re an ag society — rural farming, that’s our thing,” Tomayer said, noting that pairing the heavy horses with a strongman element introduces the event to a brand-new demographic. “You’re going to see the power of these heavy horses combined with the power of man.”
Entertainment options span across the entire grounds for 12 hours each day. Inside venues will host mentalist and comedian Dale K, a Dolly Parton tribute act, the High Limit band from Onion Lake Cree Nation, Los Angeles-based Filipino artist Chris Lawrence and more.
The outdoor grandstand features monster trucks, the extreme dogs show and rock band Toque.
Even long-standing traditions are receiving modern upgrades. Tomayer revealed that the technicians behind Saturday night’s musical fireworks display — a team based out of Regina — utilized artificial intelligence to send organizers a digital preview of the choreography months in advance.
Tomayer emphasized that the event relies entirely on grassroots community efforts and local sponsorships.
“We don’t do this without sponsors,” Tomayer said, highlighting collaborations with community groups like Mural Fest, as well as critical logistical help from local businesses. “The monetary donations and sponsorships are vitally important, but it’s also just the gifts in kind and helping us set up the grounds.”
Safety remains the exhibition’s top priority. Organizers held their final comprehensive emergency co-ordination meeting ahead of opening day, bringing together representatives from the RCMP, local fire departments and the Lloydminster Rescue Squad.
The festivities begin Wednesday morning with the annual parade, followed by the traditional pancake breakfast at City Hall on Thursday morning. A full schedule of events and admission details can be found on the Lloyd Ex Fair website.
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