Hop to it

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This article was published 03/08/2024 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a playground of epic proportions.

The Big Bounce Canada Tour has transformed several acres of Red River Exhibition Park into a giant bouncy wonderland that will have people jumping up and down and up and down all weekend.

The inflatable extravaganza features the world’s largest bounce house and an array of pop-up attractions.

Presented by XL Event Lab — a global production company specializing in large-scale, immersive entertainment — the event is designed to offer a bounce-tastic adventure for kids and adults alike.

“Our aim is to create a fun, energetic atmosphere where families can bond and enjoy themselves,” says Nida Hussain, assistant tour manager and co-ordinator. “It’s about bringing joy and excitement to people of all ages.

“The owners are very passionate about this project. They’re looking to expand everywhere right now, so I’m not surprised they chose Winnipeg this year. It’s amazing to see this event come to new places.”

The star of the show, the bounce house, stands over 10 metres (32 feet) tall and covers an area of 13,000 square feet. It’s a whimsical wonderland complete with inflatable slides, ball pits, climbing towers and space for a live DJ.

“It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. We’ve created different zones within the bounce house to cater to all types of fun-seekers,” Hussain says.

In addition to the bounce house, the event features OctoBlast, a vibrant inflatable maze; Sport Slam, which includes a sports arena with goals, nets, hoops and balls of every kind; the Giant, a 91-metre (300-foot) long obstacle course; and Airspace, a space-themed bounce zone with moon craters, aliens and an 18-metre (60-foot) tall slide.

“These attractions are designed to challenge and entertain everyone, from competitive sports to whimsical adventures,” Hussain says.

The logistics of setting up such a massive travelling event are impressive.

“We have about four different 18-wheelers that ride with us. They get all of our equipment in, and we also have flatbeds that come with our inflatables rolled up in them,” Hussain says.

Safety and enjoyment are top priorities for the team, she adds.

“We go through them (the attractions) hundreds of times a day because we ensure safety, we ensure cleanliness and we just want to make sure everyone’s having fun in there,” Hussain says.

“It’s not just for kids. Adults love it just as much. It’s an opportunity to let loose and have fun. We see entire families bouncing together, laughing and creating memories. It’s also a fun summer activity where you can get a workout in — you will not need a gym membership for the rest of the week, I promise you that.”

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just looking for a fun day out with the family, Hussain assures that there’s something for everyone.

“It’s going to be a weekend full of laughter, excitement, and, of course, lots of bouncing.”

Tickets, including family passes and timed entry slots, are available online at the the Big Bounce Canada website. A ticket allows attendees access to all bounce stations.

thandi.vera@winnipegfreepress.com

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