‘It’s going to be something just fantastic:’ REAL CEO previews QCX

Rides, games and deep-fried everything — the Queen City Ex (QCX) has returned to Regina.

Tim Reid, the CEO and president of Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Wednesday there will be four new rides on the midway.

“The same rides that they get at … the CNE, the PNE, the Stampede (and) K-Days all end up here,” Reid said. “It’s going to be something just fantastic.”

With temperatures expected to reach and exceed 30 C Wednesday through Friday, Reid added there will be a plethora of indoor programming for those wishing to escape the heat.

“You can walk into the International Trade Centre presented by Viterra where we have the dog shows, we have the kid shows, and we have the bouncy tents,” he said. “Most importantly, if you love agricultural events, we’ve got the herding dogs (and) we’ve got rodeo on Friday and Saturday.”

Reid confirmed visitors will be allowed to bring their own water bottles and there will be filling stations on site.

“If you’re coming down, dress for it,” he said. “Make sure that you have the opportunity to seek some shade because it is going to be hot.”

When it comes to food, every vendor will have “a gazillion” new food options, Reid said.

“This year, we’ve got the Tin Lizzie grilled cheese short rib doughnut sandwich, which … seems like it’s just everything in a buffet that ends up on a sandwich. We’ve got the lightsabre cotton candy (and) we’ve got the Kool-Aid sandwiches,” he added.

The Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) will perform selections from Harry Potter, West Side Story and Star Wars for the QCX in Confederation Park on Wednesday night, according to the REAL District website.

Reid said organizers traditionally pair fireworks with the RSO’s performance to close out the fair. However, the fireworks display was moved to Wednesday night due to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ game Sunday.

The QCX generates a huge economic spinoff for the city and more people are expected to take a trip to the Queen City, Reid added.

“Last year, we did just under … $13 million of economic wind. It was one of our largest fair (attendances), so it matters,” he added.