THUNDER BAY— The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition is celebrating 135 years of its iconic family fair this summer.
On Tuesday, CLE officials announced the new entertainment lineup and launched their advance ticket sale campaign, a month-long opportunity for fair-goers to purchase tickets and ride wristbands at a discounted price
“Buckle your seat belts, you are here for a great ride,” said Basil Lychowyd, fair chair.
Running from Aug. 6 to 10, the fair's itinerary is packed with games, food, shopping and a new stage line up including cast members from Peppa Pig and Bluey.
“We are trying to keep everything in Canada, local as much as possible,” he said.
Regardless, Lychowyd said American tariffs will not impact the city’s fair, and that most Canadians are expected to spend more time enjoying local activities this summer.
“It is going to help us,” he said. “Some of the people that I've talked to, they have changed their plans for trips to not going.”
With 135 years of memories and a baseline of 60,000 people expected to attend the fair this August, Lychowyd said the pressure was on to create five days filled with enough fun to meet expectations.
“It's a tough market, a lot of fairs are going to a tribute-type band, some of these bands that have played, they are getting old and they are not the same,” he said.
The new line of entertainment includes The Northern Pikes, The Caverners, Simply Queen, Carla Sacco, Taylor's Story and Hypnotist Corie J in addition to meet and greets with licensed character performances from Peppa Pig and Bluey.
”We are going to have Bluey and Bingo here on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12 noon till 4 (p.m.) each day,” he said. “And on the weekend, we are going to have Peppa the pig and George, which will be here Saturday and Sunday at the same time from noon till 4 (p.m.) each day.”
Outside of the live music, he said that most fair patrons are here for the amusement rides.
“I'll go on any ride, I still got it,” he said.
“Our two midways that come here, they're one of the biggest, one has about 25 rides, the other one has probably 22,” he said. “If you compare any fair, we are the biggest here in Northwestern Ontario.”
In addition to the big stage line up and carnival rides there will be children’s activities, farm animals, cooking shows with local chefs, home and craft vendors, a display board featuring the history of the fair and a baby show to finish it off, he said.
“Finally, we will conduct this huge fair with a spectacular fireworks display on Sunday, Aug. 12,” he said.
Tickets are available for purchase online, at the Canadian Tire on Arthur street, Shoppers Drug Mart in the McIntyre Centre, at the Canadian Tire locations in Nipigon and Marathon, Northern Computers in Terrace Bay and at the Wellington Inn in Sioux Lookout.
