YORKTON — The Yorkton Exhibition, running July 1-4, is drawing families with midway rides, games and classic fair food, but rising costs are becoming part of the experience for many visitors.
While children focus on the rides and attractions, parents are often balancing the cost of admission, ride wristbands, games and food.
Twelve-year-old Parker Davis is excited to be at the exhibition.
“I'm mostly looking forward to having fun with my friends and going on the Zipper,” she said.
Davis, who attends the exhibition every year, arrived with $100 to spend.
“My mom gave me $50 and then I also had $50 of my own,” she said.
Mini donuts, cotton candy, corn dogs and fresh-squeezed lemonade remain some of the fair's most popular treats.
“I really like the lemonade, like the big tubs of the lemonade,” Davis said.
Despite higher prices, she said she feels the annual outing is worthwhile.
“It's very fun,” she said. “I feel like it's worth it.”
Vendors say rising costs are affecting spending habits on the grounds.
Desiree Renee, whose business, 2 Pretty Bath Goods, is making its first appearance at the exhibition, said she has heard concerns from other vendors.
“I was told from other vendors that the foot traffic has definitely slowed down and that people are just not spending money on items that we are all selling because the cost of living has just gone up and that includes the fair prices going up too,” she said.
Even so, she said the exhibition continues to attract families.
“I love watching the kids run around and running up to the rides,” Renee said. “The food trucks are great. There's always a lot of different things to try and do.”
This year's exhibition has also been affected by wet weather. The Light Horse Show was cancelled after heavy rainfall left standing water and saturated conditions on the exhibition grounds.
Despite the weather and rising costs, families continue to attend one of Yorkton's longest-running summer traditions.
