The Moose Jaw Hometown Fair, a tradition in Canada's Notorious City for nearly 140 years, begins with the Hometown Parade at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21 — also the last day for $50 advance tickets, a one-day pass combining the gate fee with all-day rides.
The Hometown Parade is one of the biggest events in the city each year and always includes floats from an expansive list of businesses and organizations, including emergency services, businesses, non-profits, and charities, clubs and groups of all kinds, horse-drawn carriages, and more. It will begin in the parking lot of the Town ‘N Country Mall on Main Street, behind the Canadian Forces armoury. Parade applications are currently open through moosejawex.ca.
After the Hometown Parade, the Fair itself begins in earnest on the grounds of the Moose Jaw Exhibition Centre on Thatcher Drive. Day one starts at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, and the Fair ends on Sunday, June 25 at 8 p.m.
“I’ve always enjoyed the Fair,” said Judy Wilson, chair of the Hometown Fair committee, “even before I was on the committee or the Exhibition board. I just enjoy the activity, all the lights at night, and what a fun weekend it is.”
This is the second return of the Fair after closing down during the pandemic, and Wilson and her fellow committee members have been busy for months organizing vendors and entertainment.
Wilson explained a bit of the Fair’s packed 2023 schedule. She noted that due to the nature of the fair and carnival business, details such as what specific rides will be at the midway, operated by West Coast Amusements, won’t be certain until set-up is completed.
- Thursday, June 22
- Midway carnival rides — 3 to 10 p.m.
- Family Fun Zone, with air conditioning, bouncy castles, and seating — 3 to 9 p.m.
- Petting zoo and pony rides — 3 to 9 p.m.
- Friday, June 23
- Midway — 3 to 11 p.m.
- Family Fun Zone — 3 to 9 p.m.
- Petting zoo and pony rides — 3 to 9 p.m.
- Hunter-Jumper Horse Competition — starts at 10 a.m.
- Saturday, June 24
- Midway — 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Family Fun Zone — 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Petting zoo and pony rides — 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Hunter-Jumper Horse Competition — starts at 10 a.m.
- 4-H Steer show — 10 a.m.
- Sunday, June 25
- Midway — 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Family Fun Zone — 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Petting zoo and pony rides — 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hunter-Jumper Horse Competition — starts at 9 a.m.
- 4-H Showmanship show — 10 a.m.
- 4-H Cattle Sale — 3:30 p.m.
“For food, we’ve got mini doughnuts, we’ve got a lemonade stand, we’ve got Mexican food, we’re going to have some smoked meats, a BBQ place, Asian food, and elephant ear (fried bread),” Wilson said. There will also be other concession stands with standards like water, hot dogs, and hamburgers, and West Coast Amusements will have additional food vendors for the midway, she added.
Other attractions include Magic by Chris, who will be roving the Fair each day, three dog shows per day by Canine Stars, and roving performances by Indigo Circus, who end each day with a fire show.
Notable volunteers at the Hometown Fair include Infinity Athletics, whose members will look after the Family Fun Zone, and the Moose Jaw Skating Club at the gates.
Advance tickets for the Hometown Fair are available at Pet Valu Moose Jaw, Family Pizza Moose Jaw, and the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds office. A $50 pre-sale ticket gets visitors one full day of rides and includes the gate fee.
