ESTEVAN — People in southeast Saskatchewan will get to enjoy three days of entertainment through the Estevan Exhibition Association's (EEA) Energy City Ex., which is scheduled for June 13-15.
Association president Crystal Ross said the event will feature many of the same attractions as last year. West Coast Amusements will be supplying the midway, which will be open all three days, while the KCRA will once again sanction the rodeo, which will be on June 13 and 14. Rodeo performance times will be 7 p.m. on the 13th and 6 p.m. on the 14th, with slack times at 8 a.m. each day.
Ross referred to West Coast Amusements as "the best in the west" with their midway rides and carnival games, and the EEA always appreciates what they bring.
Other highlights will include a quilt show in the EEA's building that will feature the talents of local people, while the Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadet Hall will feature the agriculture pavilion, which Ross said will be twice as large as last year.
"This year we have an equipment lineup, we have livestock coming again, and we also have more exhibitors coming to show people where their food comes from," said Ross.
The pavilion can also accommodate school tours June 12 and 13. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
Food trucks and a cattle show will also be part of the Energy City Ex. The rodeo cabaret will happen on June 14 at the indoor rodeo arena at 9 p.m., with the Fog Dogs providing entertainment. Ross said the association is partnering with the Estevan Humane Society for the event.
The annual SMILE Services Parade will kick off activities June 13. It starts at 4:30 p.m. in the 1600-block of First Street and will follow the same route as last year, travelling down First Street, Souris Avenue Â鶹´«Ã½AV, Sixth Street, 13th Avenue and Eighth Street, wrapping up at Estevan Leisure Centre. This year's theme is Hats off to the Rodeo.
For the second straight year, the Grad Parade for the Estevan Comprehensive School will be incorporate with the SMILE Services Parade.
Ross said the EEA congratulates all of the graduates in the ECS Class of 2026.
The rodeo queen competition will not be back this year due to what Ross said was a lack of volunteers. The EEA will look at hosting the contest next year.
Ross said they can always use additional volunteers. People who want to help out can email [email protected].
Ross noted the EEA relies on the Energy City Ex. to remain operational throughout the year, so it's important to attract large crowds.
The Energy City Ex. will happen the same weekend as the Estevan Comprehensive School's graduation ceremony for the second straight year. Ross noted the biggest challenge they encountered last year came during the parade due to the added length from the grad floats. She believes they will be better prepared this year.
As for June 14, which is the second day of the Energy City Ex. and the day of the grad ceremony, Ross said it went well a year ago. People were very respectful and the grads had first right for the Estevan Leisure Centre's parking lot. It might take a little longer to drive around the area and find a parking spot, but she believes people will be patient and understanding again.
