Preparations underway for Agribition’s return next week in Regina – Regina | The Canadian News

After the Canadian Western Agribition was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preparations for the event are currently underway at Evraz Place in Regina.

More than 2,000 animals and people from across the country and the world will arrive on the Agribition grounds over the next few days as crews will work around the clock to prepare the sites for the show.

Agriculture officials say visitors to this year’s event are in luck as they prepare to celebrate its 50th anniversary next week.

“It’s honestly very exciting to be able to be in show prep mode and ready for this,” said Agribition CEO Chris Lane, speaking to Global News at one of the venues on Friday.

Lane is among those who are excited to see the show return with full barns and a full schedule.

The week is packed with a host of new and popular activities including full contact jousting, a professional rodeo, and a sword fighting competition. There will be more than 2,000 animals on site.

He said it is a step towards normality, but that there will be some adjustments due to current public health orders.

“It’s really important to have a safe event planned that we feel comfortable doing and public health is comfortable doing it,” added Lane.

The protocols will include proof of vaccination or an approved negative COVID-19 test result upon entering the Agribition grounds.

Authorities say children under 12 and medical exemptions will be accepted for anyone 12 and older. Lane said more information on proof of vaccination requirements can be found at his website.

Masks will also be required in all indoor public spaces, but Lane mentioned that masks will also be provided at the doors in case someone forgets to bring one.

“It changes the logistics of the show delivery a bit, but obviously we’ve been working on a plan in consultation with the commercial and public health response team for some time. So we feel pretty good about it. “

Despite the changes to this year’s version of Agribition compared to previous installments of the event, the people preparing this weekend are excited for its return.

Brett Kot, a Bethune resident who herds bison at Agribition, said it’s good to see events like this repeat themselves.

“It’s exciting to come back here and see a lot of people that you only see once a year and see the business that goes on here,” Kot said. “I am happy to see that he is back.”

Agribition runs from November 22 to 27 with free admission only on Monday. Tickets and more information about the schedule are available at the event website.