Another step towards normalcy as Regina’s Queen City Ex is set to go this summer after it was cancelled last year because of COVID-19.
Based on news that North American Midways will be at the Calgary Stampede in July, Evraz Place says the plan is to have rides and other entertainment on their campus.
Tim Reid, president and CEO of Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), said on Friday that they are “starting to turn the plan into action” regarding the Queen City Ex, pending health advisories and restrictions.
Reid explained how they have not been given clear instruction from public health as of yet.
“Outdoors, the programming will be very similar to what you have seen around the midway as well as the vendors,” noted Reid. “We do intend to activate Confederation Park as we always have and we intend to activate the Brandt Centre as well.”
He continued by saying they do plan to bring live music entertainment to the park and their Great Western Stage with hopes of putting a full lineup of Canadian artists on the bill. Reid said the move is to support Canadian performers who have been hit by the pandemic.
Reid mentioned that people should expect heightened sanitation levels, a good chance of physical distancing and mask wearing throughout the Evraz Place campus, along with restrictions on capacity numbers in specific areas.
He added they will limit their use of some indoor facilities on the property, which means places like the International Trade Centre, Canada Centre and AffinityPlex soccer centre will not be part of Regina’s midway festivities in 2021. Reid said the ITC and Canada Centre will continue to be used for COVID-19 vaccination and testing efforts, while the AffinityPlex will be used for sporting events.
Tickets are not for sale at this time and dates have not yet been confirmed. Reid said it’s because their team is waiting for the announcement around Step Two of the province’s reopen plan. Step Two has a target date of June 20.
“We want to be sensitive to selling tickets before we know we can actually proceed,” he explained. “We do think there will be limited attendance and we think (tickets) will go on sale somewhere around that June 20 update, depending on the health authority.”
