REGINA - Some big names and new features are in store for the 2024 Queen City Ex presented by SaskTel.
This year marks 140 years since the fair was started in Regina, and the event running from July 31 to Aug. 4 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Among the highlights planned for this year:
The concert schedule on the Original 16 stage begins Wednesday, July 31 with the Regina Symphony Orchestra followed by a fireworks display. That is followed on Thursday, Aug. 1 with Our Lady Peace.
Friday, Aug. 2 will be Ludacris, fresh off his appearance at the Super Bowl halftime with Usher. The VIP patio tables for both Our Lady Peace and Ludacris shows have both sold out,
Saturday, Aug. 3 will be Jess Moskaluke. Finally on Sunday, Aug. 4 will be Trooper.
Coming on Thursday, Aug. 1 and Friday, Aug. 2 will be the Pile O’ Bones Rodeo presented by 620 CKRM. The timing is a change from previous years when it was Fridays and Saturdays, but fans will see the same bull-riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and other rodeo competitions. A new feature will be the Premium Rodeo Fan Zone to provide fans an “elevated” experience with reserved seating and dedicated table service for food and beverage#.
On August 3 is Rider Game Day at QCX with the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the Edmonton Elks. Fans with game tickets will receive free admission to QCX for that day.
For a third year in a row, QCX will partner with Regina Food Bank for the return of champion eater Joey Chestnut and the Mini Donut Eating Competition. Proceeds will go to the Regina Food Bank; the previous donut contests have raised for them over 300,000 meals.
John Bailey of Regina Food Bank says there are some changes happening to this year’s competition, as they plan to move away from the one-on-one eating competition to include more of a team and relay format to make it more competitive for those facing Chestnut.
“Quite frankly, we’re no match for Joey Chestnut, we’re a little bit tired of giving him the championship belt every year,” Bailey told the audience.
Chestnut, who is also the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest champion, will seek to challenge last year’s record of 304 mini-donuts consumed in eight minutes.
Aug. 1 will provide a quiet fair experience for kids with special needs, so they can enjoy a more comfortable environment.
QCX will host their Newcomer Program on Aug. 2, to provide those new to Canada an opportunity to see the fair for free.
Family Day is presented by SaskMilk on Aug. 4, and will include a free Pancake Breakfast and free admission to the Midway before noon. Sunday is also the date for the new QCX Midway 5K Fun Run, with more details to come on how to sign up.
Also coming back is the ever-popular Midway rides, as well as Mega Bounce, QCX Marketplace, and daily performances in the Original 16 Beer Gardens. Mostos Indigenous Village is back and will feature performances from the Powwow Times International Dance Troupe. The Extreme Zone presented by SaskTel will host programs such as Full Send BMX, Super Dogs, and Strongman demonstrations. And on Aug. 4, QCX will host Saskatchewan's Strongest Man Competition organized by Classic Strongman Championship League; look for more details on how to register.
Mayor Sandra Masters was at this year’s QCX launch event and spoke to reporters on the importance of the fair to the city. She pointed to 260,000 guests showing up last year.
“I know in previous years we’ve seen north of $10 million in terms of economic impact,” said Masters. “Folks are coming into town, sometimes they are doing early back-to-school shopping, and so we’re excited for the out of town visitors. I know that I went to high school in Weyburn and this is where you came — it was Buffalo Days at the time, this is where you came to ride the rides and eat the food.”
“This is one of our favourite events and it’s one of the three signature events that we offer on an annual basis,” said REAL Acting President Roberta Engel. “And have to say this is by far the most fun. It’s obviously outside, and the team plans for it all year long. They’re really well-prepared and super excited about delivering an amazing QCX. Ticket sales to our VIP table, if it’s any indication of how many people will get through the doors of the gates this year, it’ll be an exciting time.”
According to REAL’s news release, Advanced Gate Admission Passes and Daytrippers will start to go on sale May 14, and can be found both online and at the Brandt Centre Box Office. Passes will be available at select Sherwood Co-op Food Stores and Gas Bars as of June 25.
