LAC LA BICHE - Thrilling rides and the opportunity to play games of chance have always been a staple of Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days.
Ian Cloutier, treasurer of the Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days and Fish Derby Association, said the traditional midway for Pow Wow Days 2025 will take place from Aug. 1-3. Whereas last year’s Summer Days celebration featured only a handful of rides, according to Cloutier, there will be quite a few more for folks to enjoy this go-around.
“We’re excited this year…there’s going to be like 24 rides,” he told Lakeland This Week, stating the midway is being put on by Wildrose Shows, which is based out of Spruce Grove. “They’re bringing all their stuff. Typically, we’d only get half the show, but this year, we have the whole show.”
People can save money by purchasing all-day ride passes in advance at the Lac La Biche branch of ATB or the Métis Nation of Alberta office.
While ride passes purchased in advance cost $45 and are $55 at the midway ticket booth, admission to the grounds is free.
The carnival, which will take up the whole east side of the Bold Centre parking lot, is also offering more cuisine options for those taking in the attractions.
According to Cloutier, 10 food trucks will be set up during the midway.
“They’re all unique…they’re all different…they’re not all just serving burgers and fries,” he said.
The midway, Cloutier said, helps to draw people from all over into the Lac La Biche area to see the other events taking place during the Pow Wow Days weekend.
“The kids might want to go on the rides, and the families might want to come and take part in all the other events going on…they might want to see the talent show…they might want to see the bands,” he said. “It’s kind of one of those anchor things that pulls people in.”
Along with the midway and ball tournament, which is taking place at the Bold Centre ball diamonds, there will also be a community bingo competition happening in that area as well.
The covered pavilion near the baseball diamonds, Cloutier said, will be used for the bingo, which goes on Aug. 1-3.
“They’re going to add a big party tent on the end of it,” he said, which will be done to increase the amount of playing space.
The bingo event, Cloutier explained, is just like the old-time bingo that has been part of Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days for the past 40 years, with vintage slide cards and plenty of fun.
“It’s 50 cents a game…cool prizes to be won…open air, which people wanted,” Cloutier said, adding that the Pow Wow Days of old had an outdoor covering pavilion located in downtown Lac La Biche for the bingo games, and organizers are trying to recreate that.
