Queen City Ex returns to Regina

The Queen City Ex is back in Regina.

The five day festival begins at noon on the REAL District grounds this afternoon. After a smaller festival last year, Tim Read, REAL’s president and CEO, said this summer’s exhibition will be back to normal.

“All of the traditional rides you would’ve seen pre-COVID are going to be back, because everything can move across the border more freely,” Reid explained.

“We’re back up to 50-plus rides, and there will be a new ride called the ‘Raptor’ that will be in the kids’ area this year. Everything you’ve come to know and love will be back, and honestly, I think it is going to be a fantastic fair.”

Reid said there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s Queen City Ex. One of the big attractions will be the concert stage, where some big acts are performing.

“The Original 16 Stage is going to be unbelievable,” Reid said. “Every night of music is included in your ticket price … From Tim Hicks, to Jason Derulo, to Tenille Arts and our very own symphony, there is going to be some fantastic entertainment.”

The exhibition will feature some extravagant food items, like Oreo rice and unicorn rainbow glazed doughnut sticks, and new this year, a mini doughnut eating contest where contestants will go up against the greatest eater of all time, Joey Chestnut.

“It turned into a great event, with Joey Chestnut agreeing to come in and challenge some of the best in Regina to raise some money for the food bank,” Reid said.

“We chatted with Joey yesterday, and he commented the average person should be able to eat 40-60 mini donuts in that time period (10 minutes), and he expects to do 220-230. I think its going to be an unbelievable display for a great cause, and we’re going to see the greatest eater on the planet challenge some not-so-great eaters here in Regina.”

The gates for Queen City Ex open daily at 12 p.m. Gates close at 11 p.m.