When the sun goes down and dusk begins to set, the lights on the fairgrounds keep the Exhibition alive, as the community comes together at the annual Northwest Territorial Days. (submitted photo/Jocelyn Ritchie)

By Martin Martinson

Fairgrounds fun

Northwest Territorial Days: A staple of summertime in the Battlefords

Jul 26, 2019 | 9:00 AM

The spectacle of lights edging the fairgrounds, as a monster Farris wheel looms overhead; the sounds of the roller coasters whizzing by and the scent of mini doughnuts fills the air; there is nothing quite like the Exhibition.

The Annual Northwest Territorial Days are taking place Aug. 14 to 16 at Battlefords Exhibition Park.

General Manager Jocelyn Ritchie said the Agricultural Society is pleased to be hosting the event for another year. The event offers an Exhibition experience for the whole family to enjoy, open to all ages.

“We have something for everybody,” she said. “We have [something for] people with their kids in strollers, up to all the seniors, so everybody has something to look forward to here.”

The Farris Wheel lights up the night at the Territorial Days Celebration. (submitted photo/Jocelyn Ritchie)

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One of the longest-running events in the Battlefords’ community, 2019 will mark the 132^nd year of the Territorial Days. The exhibition tends to attract about 18,000 people in a given year. This year, Ritchie is hopeful attendance can hit the 20,000 mark, a milestone that would not be attainable without the support of the community.

“It’s been really great,” she said. “The people that keep coming to the fair are amazing. We are a non-profit so we do rely on everyone sponsoring and attending to keep us going; that’s basically where we get all our money from for the year.”

General gate admission opens visitors to a world of lights and colours with something different at every turn. There will be livestock shows, commercial exhibits, a petting farm, grand stand performances, kids’ entertainment and demolition derby. There will also be countless food vendors, with everything from hotdogs and hamburgers to candy apples and cotton candy, in addition to the various rides.

Ritchie said the event is not only a fun day in the sun, but a great opportunity to support local initiatives and non-profit organizations as well.

“The exhibition serves as a key event for many of the non-profits in our community,” she said. “A lot of [them] really rely on [it] as one of their big fundraisers for the year, so it is always good to see them receive the support as well.”

The fair will officially run from Aug 14 to 16. Kicking off the event will be the Territorial Days Parade through downtown North Battleford on Aug. 13. Last year, the parade featured more than 150 entries.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1