The space that normally serves as a parking lot at Prairieland Park is quickly taking shape as the Saskatoon Ex returns. “Tuesday and Wednesday we’ve been setting up and, that’s what it takes us. You know, tonight we’re gonna leave some time for inspections, and tomorrow morning we’re going to tidy up and we’re going to be ready to go,” Scooter Korek, vice-president of client services for North American Midway Entertainment, said. While Korek has seen countless fairs and carnivals come together, he says the feeling is just as thrilling every time. “This day is always exciting. It’s kind of like, going to the prom. You got to put on your shirt and you’re just about ready to put on the corsage and get ready to go, that’s always exciting,” Korek said. Candace Schierling, director of signature events at Prairieland Park, says getting everything ready in time for Thursday’s opening is a big job. “Today is an exciting day on the park. The Midway started moving in yesterday. Everything is getting set up. Our operations team, our AV team, everybody is all hands on deck to get everything ready for opening tomorrow,” Schierling said. She says many hands and many months go into planning the rides, food and entertainment that the Ex is known for. “It’s just hundreds and hundreds of people that it takes to bring this together. We started working, of course, months and months ago...It’s not something that happens in an instant. It is a year-long or a year-and-a-half-long process to bring all of this together,” Schierling said. According to organizers, 80 per cent of the rides and entertainment featured by the North American Midway at the Calgary Stampede are now in Saskatoon. “Our carnival travels with about 450 people. So that encompasses rides, games and food. And that comes with this wherever we go. And then we hired another 126 people to help us with some nonsense that have safety operations. So we’re kind of a traveling little army that moves around,” Korek said. Thanks to a $2.5 million purchase by the North American Midway, there are two new rides at this year’s Saskatoon Ex called the Super Miami and the Downdraft. This year will also have a 22,000 square foot tent available for attendees to cool off during the warm temperatures expected throughout the week. While there are many notable additions this year, one fan favourite was previously announced as not returning for the 2026 Saskatoon Ex: Spudnuts. “It was a tough decision, but this year we just had to take a pause. I mean, we’ve taken a pause, but we have introduced a brand new fair food through Prairieland, which is our bourbon bacon [it’s] delicious. If you like bacon, it’s wonderful,” Schierling said. The Ex opens at noon every day and will remain open until midnight. This year is set to feature a firework show each day at 11 p.m. and a parade at 6 p.m. Schierling advised people planning to attend to allow for some extra time, as all attendees will have to go through a security scanner and bag check upon arrival. “We’ve always had the police presence along with our Safe Kids program. So when you’re coming in, make sure that you check in and get a wristband that you put your phone number on. So we don’t have any lost kids. So we’ve worked very closely with the police, fire department, security, as well as paramedics, first aid. So we have everything covered here on site to make your stay really safe,” Schierling said.
