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The countdown is officially on to this year’s Saskatoon Exhibition, and if there’s a theme this year, it’s “more,” according to Peter Jelinski, manager of signature events.
It all begins with the annual EX parade on July 29, starting at 10 a.m.
Theory of a Deadman kicks off this year’s Grandstand headliners on July 30, followed by Shawn Desman, Streetheart and the “Crash and Bash” demolition derby on Sun, Aug. 2. Rounding out the fair week will be country singer Josh Ross, Filipino Singer-songwriter Mico and Jade Eagleson, Mother Mother wrapping up the event on Aug. 6.
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Speaking at Prarieland Park on Thursday, Jelinski outlined some of the other events taking place over the eight days, including the Circus Circus and aerial trampoline shows.
“Parents, I’m gonna warn you now, every kid in Saskatoon is gonna want a pogo stick after seeing the amazing show we’ve got coming, called Extreme Pogo. And if that isn’t enough, working with our longtime partners of the annual Demolition Derby – who are also the producers of the Monster Truck shows here in Saskatoon – we’ve developed a death-defying motocross event called Extreme Freestyle Show,” he described.
The SuperDogs, Doo Doo the Clown, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters and Paw Patrol shows will all also return.
New this year at The EX will be a 22,000 square foot shade and cooling centre, for people who want to have a dedicated place to sit down and get out of the heat, colour-coded entry gates, better signage and mapping and a new New Orleans-style “Bourbon Street North” area, according to Candace Schierling, director of signature events at Prairieland.
“Guests will notice a more festive style atmosphere the moment they approach the park,” she said.
Bourbon bacon is this year’s new signature fair food at the 2026 Saskatoon Exhibition. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
As for security, Patrick Barbar, head of security and operations, said the metal detectors will be back with even better software upgrades. Saskatoon police, Medavie and private security will all play a role in keeping fair goers safe, while keeping banned items – including bear spray – out.
“Our absolute top priority is ensuring that the Saskatoon EX remains a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly environment for every single guest who walks through those gates. In order for our community to truly enjoy the fair, they need to feel secure,” he said.
On a good day, Barbar said there can be more people at The EX than the entire population of Moose Jaw, so keeping 40,000 people safe is top of mind.
“We really ask people to familiarize themselves with what is and what is not allowed at the exhibition. These things are listed on our website and to avoid any delays, to just not bring those objects.
“There are people who are well-meaning who show up because they always carry a knife on their belt or whatever. And unfortunately, again, that causes delays. They either have to bring them back to their car or they end up abandoning them. So we ask people to really be conscious as to what they’re bringing to the EX,” he said.
Jelinski said North American Midway Entertainment will once again set up the rides and the midway area.
“What they do is they bring the best midway in North America, they have by far the most number of rides and they have the most capacity for people to enjoy,” he added.
He said in 2025, about 255,000 people attended The EX, and this year, they’re hoping for an even better turn out.
Tickets for the Saskatoon Exhibition are on sale now.
