Rain doesn’t keep riders from Red River Ex

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This article was published 17/06/2015 (4060 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers have long been saying the Red River Ex and bad weather go together like peas and carrots, and the past few years have been no exception. But, as many Manitobans are proving, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a blast anyway.

With a combination of chilly temperatures, high winds and patchy but persistent rain on Wednesday, even some rides called it a night. While some of the crowd dwindled, many stuck it out, and even celebrated the chilly weather.

“It’s not so much crowded,” said Keita Uesugi, a Winnipeg dad who brought his three kids. Clad in ponchos given out at the gate, Uesugi said his family was having plenty of fun, and loving the short waits for rides.

Other riders agreed.

“That’s what’s ideal about it today,” said Gary Bremner, another dad. He and his sons, Aidann, 12, and Ryan, 8, have been coming to the Ex for years, and weren’t going to miss it for bad weather. Ryan, who just reached the 52 inches required to ride the Ex’s more extreme offerings this year, was a big fan of the shorter lines, getting off a ride and then immediately running back on.

They especially liked the Remix Power, and carousel of spinning cars that whirl madly as they spin around a central hub. Ryan rode it four times in a row. Aidann said he was trying for 10.

While their dad didn’t try the ride, he said he didn’t mind waiting in the cold. To him, going to the Ex is a family experience, and worth every chilly minute.

“I’m going to soak it up as much as I can,” he said, laughing. “I’ll take the flack from their mom.”

Bremner wasn’t alone. Many families and friends braved the elements, reliving childhood laughs or parting ways.

For Heather Houston, this year will be her last Red River Ex for quite a while. Moving to New Zealand soon, Houston went to the Ex with long-time friend Marissa Danyluk to have some fun first.

“We knew it might rain, but it’s OK,” said Danyluk. Along with her sister and mother, Danyluk and Houston stayed for hours, and, since they were wet anyway, got soaked on the Niagara Falls ride. Danyluk even ate some ice cream.

Danyluk’s family had been coming “probably for 20 years,” guessed her mom, Marie Danyluk. “We used to come here when they opened at noon and stay here for more than midnight. … My husband was ready to go after three hours, and I was like, ‘No way, we’re staying.’”

That was the attitude of Erica Leask and a group of 14 kids from Neil Dennis Kematch Memorial School in Sapotawyak Cree Nation. She and the students made the seven-hour trip south to Winnipeg for just a few days, and wanted to spend their last one at the Ex – rain or shine.

“We go to a fair in Swan River, and it’s way smaller,” said Leask. A lot of the kids liked the big rides, the favourite being the Fire Ball.

Garth Rogerson, CEO of the Red River Exhibition Association, said that persevering attitude is part of the business.

“We have taken a revenue hit in the past few years because of the inclement weather,” he said. Last year, they had rain for seven days of the fair. “We have so many things going on now, so many shows, we still seem to get the people out.”

Year over year attendance is up significantly this year, he said, with a “very strong” opening day.

“We had some strong winds, it was a little bit chilly,” he said. “These things happen. You roll with the punches.”

aidan.geary@freepress.mb.ca