Ask a longtime Lloydminster local about "Colonial Days," and you'll probably get a nostalgic pause before they correct you — gently. "Oh, you mean the Ex." The name has evolved over the years, but the feeling hasn't: for one week every summer, the fairgrounds turn into the loudest, brightest, most chaotic-in-the-best-way place in the entire city, and pretty much everyone shows up at some point.
If you're planning to catch it — this year or next — here's everything worth knowing before you go.
What Is Colonial Days / The Lloyd Ex Fair?
What locals grew up calling Colonial Days is now officially branded the Lloyd Ex Fair, run by the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association. In 2026, the fair celebrated its 121st year — a genuinely long run for an event that started long before the border markers downtown ever became a tourist photo op.
The fair features a parade, a full West Coast Amusements midway, Country Lane, a petting zoo, livestock shows, fireworks, a diving dog show, and a strongman competition, among a long list of other attractions. Organizers describe it as having over 150 sprawling activities packed into the grounds — the kind of event where you genuinely can't do everything in a single visit, no matter how hard you try.
2026 Dates and Location
The 2026 Lloyd Ex Fair ran July 8–11, held at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds, 5521 49 Avenue in Lloydminster, SK. If you're reading this after those dates have passed, don't worry — the fair runs annually around the same window each summer, so it's worth marking early-to-mid July on next year's calendar if you missed it this time around.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Fair days tend to follow a predictable, comfortable rhythm. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the midway kicking into gear around noon and running until midnight, giving visitors a long window to plan their day around work schedules, nap times, or just how much heat they can handle before ducking into shade.
The week traditionally wraps up with a fireworks finale on Saturday night at 11:30 p.m. — the kind of ending that turns a good week into a genuinely memorable one, especially for families watching from a blanket on the grass rather than fighting for a spot near the stage.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets are typically available for purchase right at the gate, making the fair an easy, low-commitment visit if you're only planning to stop by for an hour or two. For those planning to spend more time on the midway itself, Ride All Day Armbands have been priced around $50, which tends to be the better value if your group includes kids who'll want to hit the same rides more than once.
Given that pricing can shift slightly year to year, it's worth checking the official Lloyd Ex website closer to your visit for the most current ticket structure.
What Locals Actually Recommend Seeing
With 150-plus activities on offer, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Locals tend to prioritize a handful of things that consistently deliver:
The Parade — Held in central Lloydminster, it's often described as the unofficial kickoff to the entire week, with floats, music, and a genuine community feel that's hard to replicate anywhere else in the city.
Livestock Shows — A nod to the fair's agricultural roots, these draw a loyal crowd every year and offer a different pace from the midway's noise and lights.
The Diving Dog Show and Strongman Competition — Two of the more unexpected crowd-pleasers, and the kind of attractions that tend to surprise first-time visitors the most.
Saturday Night Fireworks — Almost universally named as the best way to close out the week, especially if you find a spot away from the densest crowds.
Tips for a Smoother Visit
Go early or go late. Midday tends to be the hottest and most crowded stretch — locals often aim for either an early gate-opening visit or an evening trip once temperatures drop and the lights really start to shine.
Bring cash, just in case. While many vendors accept cards, fairground food trucks and game booths can be inconsistent — a bit of cash keeps things moving.
Plan around parking. With the whole city turning out for the week, parking near the grounds fills up fast, especially on weekend evenings. Arriving a little earlier than planned — or having someone drop you off rather than dealing with fairground parking altogether — tends to save more time than it costs.
Dress for heat and dust. July in Lloydminster can run warm, and fairgrounds tend to get dusty by midweek. Comfortable shoes make a bigger difference than people expect.
Pace yourself across the week, if you can. With four days of programming, locals rarely try to "do the whole fair" in one visit. Splitting it — parade one day, midway another — tends to make for a more enjoyable experience than trying to cram everything into a single overwhelming afternoon.
Why This Fair Still Matters After 121 Years
There's something worth noting about an event that's survived over a century of change, name shifts, and shifting entertainment trends: it still pulls the whole community together, year after year. In a city defined by its unusual dual-province identity, the fair is one of the few things that's purely, uncomplicatedly Lloydminster — no border line running through the middle of it, just one shared week that both sides of the city show up for equally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colonial Days still called that?
The event formerly known as Colonial Days is now officially branded the Lloyd Ex Fair, run by the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association.
When does the Lloyd Ex Fair happen each year?
The fair typically runs in early-to-mid July. In 2026, it ran from July 8–11.
How much do tickets cost?
General admission tickets are available at the gate, while Ride All Day Armbands have been priced around $50 for unlimited midway access.
What time does the fair open and close?
Gates open at 8 a.m., with the midway running from noon until midnight most days.
Is the fair good for families?
Yes — with livestock shows, a petting zoo, and family-friendly midway attractions alongside the fireworks finale, it's considered one of the most family-friendly events on Lloydminster's summer calendar.
Where is the fair held?
The Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds at 5521 49 Avenue, Lloydminster, SK.
Planning a summer trip around the fair? Check out our One Day in Lloydminster: The Perfect Summer Itinerary to fill the rest of your visit with local favorites.