THUNDER BAY – It’ll be a familiar-looking Canadian Lakehead Exhibition that greets visitors at this week’s fair – at least when it comes to the rides.
Because of the low Canadian dollar, the midway will not be bringing any new rides to Thunder Bay in 2016, but there will be plenty of old favourites, said fair chariman Basil Lychowyd.
“Usually they like to bring in new rides each year,” Lychowyd said on Monday, as workers scurried to tighten bolts, hose down booths and put the finishing touches on preparations in anticipation of Wednesday’s noon opening.
“They’re the same old ones, the same spectacular rides.”
For those needed a refresher on the rides that were in place last year, Lychowyd said returnees this summer include the Scramber, two Ferris wheels, the Paratrooper, the Avalanche, Skymaster, Wipeout and the Zipper.
There will be plenty of rides for the children too, including the popular Dragon Coaster, the Monster Slide and the Gravetron.
The entertainment in place will also have an all-Canadian feel this time around.
The Super Dogs kick things off at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the first of two daily shows. Magician Ryan Schwartz, Trapeze le Voltiguer, juggler Paul Issak and hypnotist Terrance B will also be on stage.
Musical offerings include Tourist Bureau, Morning Light, Kris Krienke and Strawdag, Garth Brooks tribute Les Smith, Green River Rival, who cover Creedance Clearwater Revival, and All Eagles, who will close out the fair on Sunday night with an homage to ‘70s rock legends the Eagles.
Now in its 126th year, Lychowyd says the CLE is an annual summer mainstay.
“It was different that is was before, but it’s all family and features things like the petting zoo. We have cooking shows, we have a baby contest. We have a main stage, we have a kids world stage. We have a dog show and lots to eat and kiddie rides and adult rides,” he said.
“There’s lots to do, a little bit for everybody.”
Ride wristbands are $34 at the gate, $20 at advance locations, including all Metro locations in Thunder Bay, through Tuesday.
Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children 5 to 12. Children four and younger are admitted free of charge.
Advance gate passes are $6 and $4.
On the web: http://www.cle.on.ca/family-fair/fair-information/