Crews get the Sky Screamer ready for the second day of the P.A. Ex Wednesday morning (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Prince Albert Ex 2019

P.A. Exhibition’s opening day sets attendance record

Jul 31, 2019 | 1:51 PM

The Prince Albert Ex is underway and the numbers from opening day are record setting.

Wednesday morning, Prince Albert Exhibitions reported 7,307 people came through the gates. This nearly doubles the numbers from last year which saw 3,662 take in the fair on the first day.

For those who decide to make their way down to the midway this year, there are some new rides to enjoy. Darcy Benson, co-owner of West Coast Amusements, said his company brought three new rides which include The Hulk, the Expo Wheel and the Sky Screamer.

“The Sky Screamer, I would say and the wheel, would be the two that really stand out because of height,” he said.

Benson said the Sky Screamer has been the most popular of the new rides.

U18 Female AA hockey

U18 AA Foxes go 4-0 at Okotoks Classic hockey tournament

1h ago

Court proceedings

Byron Bear murder case returns to court

1h ago

Crime

Man, 23, sent to hospital after weekend shooting

6h ago

“We’ve got all types of rides, we’ve got just about anything you can imagine, we’ve got bumper cars, spider rides, kiddy roller coasters. A little bit of everything for everybody,” he said.

Wednesday morning saw the beef show get underway. Competitors ranging in age from young kids all the way to 21 will be showing off their animals until Saturday. Robbie Ross, president of Prince Albert Exhibitions said they have a nice number of competitors taking part.

A small crowd was on hand Wednesday morning to take in the first of the beef shows. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

“We’re down from where we were 20 years ago, but we’re up from where we were 10 years ago,” he said.

A variety of breeds are set to be shown and there are competitors who have come from as far as Ontario and British Columbia with others coming from Manitoba and Alberta.

“We are one of the larger summer beef cattle summer shows in Western Canada,” Ross said.

(Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn