Bad news turned into good news for the Yorkton Exhibition last week. Just as organizers were putting the final polish on plans for the 130th edition of the Summer Fair, which kicks off today, a scheduling conflict with the Calgary Stampede forced headliner Kira Isabella to pull out of the Fair's entertainment lineup.
Fortunately, the YEX was able to quickly replace Isabella with two-time Saskatchewan Country Music Awards "Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year" winner Codie Prevost.
Prevost is playing a benefit concert for STARS Thursday morning and agreed to make the detour to Yorkton on his way to his own engagement at the Stampede Saturday.
"It was really nice of him to do that for us," said Shaun Morin, Exhibition general manager.
To celebrate the 130th anniversary, YEX boosted the entertainment budget this year by $10,000. The resulting lineup of Grandstand acts has a little something for everyone, from contemporary rap star Karl Wolf to 1970s glam-rockers Sweet, for the more nostalgia-oriented fan.
Of course, the Fair will still feature all the great midway rides, games and food, as well as chariot, chuckwagon and standardbred races and livestock displays.
Attractions for kids include the Kiddie's Day Parade (Thursday), Little Ray's Venom Reptile Centre, Tim Holland the Puppet Tamer, Milford High Dive Act and the Bowmanville Zoo.
Another special feature of this year's Fair is the centennial of the regional 4-H club. To celebrate the 100-year milestone, the club is putting on a 4-H Musical Ride featuring members from seven to 22 years of age as part of the Light Horse Show.
"It's quite a variety of kids and horses," said Morin, adding rehearsals are showing great promise for the event.
"They're doing really well," he said. "It's great to see."
The gates are now open and the Fair runs until 11 p.m. Saturday night.
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