2024 Saskatoon Ex: What to know before you go (2024)

The Saskatoon EX started Tuesday and runs until Sunday Aug. 11. Here’s what you need to know before you go:

1. THE BASICS

Prairieland Park will be full of music, rides, attractions and entertainers from noon until midnight every day.

Like last year, visitors to the EX will have to walk through a metal detector at the entrance and have their bags searched for prohibited items like alcohol, drugs and weapons, which “may cause some delays” in entering the park. So if you need to be there at a specific time to see your favourite show or attraction, organizers suggest arriving early.

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To get to the EX, Superpass ticket holders can take the bus for free on all regular Saskatoon Transit routes to and from Prairieland Park. Children 10 and under can ride the bus for free all day Wednesday, and seniors 60 and over will ride for free on Thursday.

If you’re driving to the EX, parking costs $10 — unless you’ve got five or more people in your vehicle, in which case you can park for free.

If you’re biking or skateboarding to the EX, plan to lock your ride in the parking lot. There are bike racks at the Ruth and Lorne Street entrances, and you cannot bring bikes, skateboards or Segways into the fairgrounds themselves.

Tickets to the EX are available at the gates. A general admission ticket covers entrance to the EX and all the shows you want to see in a day, while a superpass ticket also includes all the rides. Be sure to check your schedule before you book, because there are no refunds, exchanges or rainchecks.

2. THE ACTIVITIES

The EX officially kicked off on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. sharp with the Saskatoon EX Parade. It began at 24th Street and Spadina Crescent East, then went west on 24th Street to Fourth Avenue, turned south on Fourth Avenue to 20th Street, headed east on 20th Street to Spadina Crescent East, then returned to 24th Street and dispersed.

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All week long, the iconic Midway rides and games will light up the Saskatoon sky, and vendors will be selling everything from lemonade and fried donuts to stuffed animals, art and souvenirs.

Inside the main trade hall (Hall E) at Prairieland, this year’s attractions include the SuperDogs performing a Hollywood-themed ‘Pawscars’ show, meet and greets with characters from Gabby’s Dollhouse and Paw Patrol, a mascot parade and an interactive exhibit about animal care and agriculture.

3. THE MUSIC

The SaskTel Grandstand offers a packed schedule of open-air concerts this week, including some of the biggest names in Canadian country. This year’s shows include:

• Aug. 6: The Beaches
• Aug. 7: Amanda Marshall
• Aug. 8: Sam Roberts Band
• Aug. 9: The Reklaws
• Aug. 10: Tom Cochrane

At the Kickin’ Horse Saloon, nightly featured concerts include:

• Aug. 7: Trans-Canada HighwaymenAugust 8: Sloan
• Aug, 9: Madeline Merlo
• Aug. 10: Kim Mitchell

Around the EX, visitors can also catch daily performances of Métis fiddle music by father-son duo Dallas and Phil Boyer, and keep an ear out for strolling street bands like The Crawdaddios and Dan the One Man Band.

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4. THE REST

With so much happening at Prairieland Park this week, it can be hard to keep track of everything you want to see, hear, do, taste and experience.

But the Saskatoon EX has offered some pro tips for visitors to make the most of their visit.

This year, the EX’s theme days include:

Aug. 6: $12 Tuesday

Admission to the EX costs $12 for visitors of all ages — except for children under 6 who, as always, get in for free.

Aug. 7: Kids’ day

The Midway ticket office will be selling 30 ride coupons for $22, while kids 10 and under can ride the bus to the EX for free.

Aug. 9: Foodie Friday

The EX’s iconic fair food will be on full display, while a portion of the day’s gate admission will be donated to the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre.

Aug. 11: Family day

Children 10 and under can pay $25 for unlimited fairground rides, while seniors 65 and older get free admission.

The EX also offers some health and safety tips for visitors to make the most of their time at the fair.

If you need to bring medication with you, make sure it’s in its original containers. The First Aid Station is located behind the SaskTel Grandstand, and Medavie Health Services are located at the north end of the park. If a child gets lost, you can pick up a free wristband at any park entrance and the lost kids’ kiosks, so the team can help them find you. To be extra-safe, the EX suggests taking a photo of your kids as soon as you get to the EX, so you have a same-day picture of what they’re wearing.

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