Queen City Ex announces new midway, all Canadian music lineup for 2025

WATCH: The Queen City Exhibition has announced what people can expect at this year’s event. Jacob Carr has the details.

The 2025 version of Regina’s Queen City Ex (QCX) taking place July 30 to Aug. 3 will include a 100 per cent Canadian midway, new pricing, and an all Canadian music lineup.

“I think it’s really important, especially right now, that we have a great sense of patriotism and camaraderie and building our communities together more than dividing them,” QCX Entertainment Director Cathleen Betker said at an announcement on Friday.

“Having that Canadian background, not only with our ride providers, but with our entertainment, was a really important point for us.”

West Coast Amusements was announced as QCX’s new long-term midway partner, bringing new and old favourite rides to QCX. The previous rides provider North American Midway Entertainment did not renew its contract after 2024.

“We’ve got some new exciting rides that haven’t been here before, so we are excited about that,” West Coast Amusements president and CEO Rob Hauser said.

“Big thrill rides, speed, freakout, chaos, frenzy as well as lots of kids rides, family rides,” he added.

Hauser said coming to Regina is a big opportunity for West Coast Amusements, which also provides rides for smaller markets like Moose Jaw, Estevan, Yorkton and Swift Current.

“We have a new ride called the F5. It’s essentially a freakout ride similar to the Stardancer but it doesn’t go up over the top. It’s a 120-degree spinning claw, pendulum-type ride. It’s really popular among the teenage to 40-year-olds,” Hauser said.

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Pricing has been simplified and made to be more affordable for 2025.

Sherwood Co-op will have general admission for $16, including all taxes and fees. A family and friends pack (four passes) will be $54 and a ‘ride all day’ pass will be $55.

“So, a really fantastic deal, great pricing for families. We want everyone to come and enjoy everything that QCX is,” Betker said.

Betker said advance tickets will be available online and through Sherwood Co-op in the near future.

Music performances will be from Blue Rodeo, The Reklaws, The Glorious Sons, Sam Roberts Band, Bif Naked and Kim Mitchell.

“We are so excited about all of the programming that we’ve announced today and there’s more to come so be sure to watch our social media for announcements on what’s going to be popping up across the property during QCX,” Betker said.

Betker also said people can look forward to a demolition derby and the return of the FullSend BMX show in the Brandt Centre, as well as all the family friendly programming people expect to see.

She also added that there will be some new and exciting concession items for fairgoers to enjoy.

“One that I was absolutely blown away with, we’ve got a cotton candy creator that does the shaped cotton candy. So, if you want to eat a cotton candy Pikachu, you can eat a cotton candy Pikachu. It’s just really good, fun stuff for families, so there’s lots of great things coming.”