‘An awesome time:’ The Queen City Ex returns to Regina

Soaring elephants, burgers dripping in cheese and endless sunshine are just a few things people can expect to see at this year’s Queen City Ex.

The five-day festival opened Wednesday and runs until Sunday. Gates open daily at noon and close at midnight.

Fairgoers can expect to see some of their all-time favourite rides, like the Crazy Mouse and Polar Express.

Greg (Scooter) Korek from North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) said the company focused is attention this year on four new rides for the whole family to enjoy.

“The elephant ride is good for Mom and Dad and the entire family to experience; same with our brand-new teacups. We also have a brand-new Rockin’ Tug (boat ride) and finally a brand-new funhouse called Parker City Saloon,” he said.

The Flying Elephant ride fills the sky with brightly coloured elephants that go around in a circle. The ride made its debut in March and, according to Korek, it has been a big hit.

“It has proved to be one of our most popular kiddie rides,” he said.

The Pharaoh’s Fury is a ride for brave thrill-seekers.

It swings riders from horizontal to vertical in a 54-foot-high arc. As the boat-like structure swung down Wednesday, the air filled with screams.

“If you want a great thrill, you’re going to lose your stomach a little bit as the boat comes back down. As you go back up, you get a little bit of g-force,” said Korek.

Rides with a swing design like that have been around since the ’70s, according to Korek. It has withstood the test of time because it’s still one of the most popular rides to this day.

If you don’t have the stomach for the rides, prepare to fill up on the endless food and drink options.

Chaminda Ambagaspitiye is the REAL District’s executive chef who helped curate two food items that are perfect for on the go.

REAL Chef Chaminda Ambagaspitiye with his slider stack creation. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

Ambagaspitiye and his team brought back the prairie stack, which has 24 pieces of sausage and perogies on a stick with sour cream drizzle and green onions sprinkled on top.

His team got great feedback from the perogie stack; they sold over 2,500 and had no choice but to bring it back.

They created a slider stack which features three bison burgers on a brioche bun with cheese sauce and Doritos crust.

“Since it’s midway food, we want to make it like a really fun, family kind of event,” he said.

He said they wanted to make their food portable, so they put it on a stick.

“People want to walk around and not stand in one place and eat. So they can carry it and eat it, go on the rides (and) Mom can hold it,” he said with a laugh.

He’s looking forward to a big turnout.

“It’s an awesome time. You know (it’s) only once a year, so come and enjoy. This is the best time of year,” said Ambagaspitiye.

REAL CEO talks heat, security

Tim Reid, the resident and CEO of REAL, said organizers are anticipating a hot and busy exhibition.

The fairgrounds have a water bottle policy that allows those checking out the fair to refill their own bottles. The Brandt Centre will be open all week long as a place to cool down.

“Normally we’d have it locked up when it’s not in performance time. So if you’re seeking shelter and shade and you just want quiet, the Brandt Centre is available,” said Reid.

This year, REAL also has introduced the Midway Great Western stage.

“The idea around that is there’s some shelter, some umbrellas and just a space where you can escape the heat,” he said.

It’s going to be a hot week, so he advises people to come prepared.

The QCX also will feature the same security measures that REAL uses for concerts and for events at Mosaic Stadium.

Reid said there will be wanding and patdowns for everyone coming through the gate, and visitors will be subject to a clear bag policy.

“We’re asking people to give yourself a little bit of extra time,” Reid said, saying the measures would delay patrons.

The Saskatoon Ex has increased security after a number of bear spray incidents at the 2022 edition.

“Bear spray is always a challenge at this. We recognize that it’s not unique to this event,; it’s unique to any time you bring people together,” Reid said. “At (an) event where you bring hundreds of thousands of people together, we do our very best to manage incidents, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t happen.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Gillian Massie and Daniel Reech