‘They stay pretty up to date:’ QCX draws loyal crowd

The slow cranking of heavy machinery, the chattering of large crowds and the screams of people jolting through the air on rides all marked another successful year for the Queen City Exhibition.

It’s set to wrap up Sunday at midnight.

For some in Regina it’s a time-honoured tradition.

“It’s the one thing we make sure we do every year as a family,” Pam Milos said Saturday.

She said she’s been attending the QCX since she was five or six years old, and now she attends it with her children and grandchildren.

“I used to live four blocks away (from the exhibition grounds),” Milos said. “It was at a time where after 9 p.m. it was free to get in so we’d come down every day after 9 and hang out.”

Milos said she loved the Zipper as a kid.

“I always liked the exhibits but especially the quilting stuff that they no longer have. It’s kind of sad actually that they don’t have all the arts and crafts and some of the stuff they used to,” Milos said.

But even with all the changes throughout the year, Milos said she’ll probably keep coming back, especially with her family.

Josh Couse was also out enjoying the day with his family.

At 34, he said he’s been going to the QCX his whole life. His favourite ride was always the Saucer, but said he doesn’t go on the more-intense rides because he’s with his young daughter.

But Couse said they still manage to enjoy themselves.

“There’s a lot of kid-friendly stuff she can do, so it’s a lot of fun for her, especially the bouncy castles. I had never seen that before so that was really fun,” Couse said.

For Emma Gibson, the food is probably her favourite part of the experience.

On Saturday afternoon, she and a friend were sitting near the beer gardens while having a bite to eat. Gibson had also appreciated the performance by Flo Rida a few nights earlier.

“I feel like they definitely add some more trendy food items and rides and I’d say they stay pretty up to date,” Gibson said.

She said she’s been consistently attending the QCX for more than a decade and said she’s definitely coming back next year.