Overall attendance during Westerner Days was down compared to last year.
A total of 95,488 people walked through the gates during the five-day event which ran from July 17-21. In 2012 during the same five-day period, 102,665 people attended Westerner Days.
The busiest day during Westerner Days this year was on Saturday when 23,494 people took in the sites.
Although attendance was down, the grounds were still buzzing as fair-goers enjoyed a number of different entertainers including Bandaloni, The Copper Cowboy, Super Dogs Wild Wild Woof, The West Coast Lumberjack and Doo Doo the Clown, among others.
Concerts including Dean Brody and Down with Webster were held throughout the week and a fireworks show also lit up the night sky on Friday evening.
As for the pony chuckwagons, Keith Wood took home the title with a running time of 1:17.07 in the North American Pony Chuckwagon Championship finals on Sunday. Curtis Hogg was the runner-up with a time of 1:17.12.
The Best Dressed Wagon went to Carmen Currah and the Tom Jackson Memorial buckle was awarded to Chance Thompson.
This year, five charities will also benefit from Westerner Days.
As a not-for-profit organization, Westerner Park relies on the hard work and generosity of its volunteers. And each year, the success of Westerner Days is dependent upon the efforts of many dedicated volunteers working in various capacities throughout the Fair, officials say.
Five local volunteer organizations including United Way Central Alberta, the Canadian Cancer Society, Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada – Central Alberta Chapter and the Canadian Red Cross provided volunteers for a day in the Saputo Kids’ Corral. In total, the five organizations will have provided nearly 100 volunteers during the five days of Westerner Days.
As well, families who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend the fair had the chance to take in the sites via a new program.
‘We All Play’ provided complimentary passes and parking to 125 Central Alberta families that may not have been otherwise able to enjoy a day at the fair.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
