Saskatoon residents can check out a variety of food, rides, and entertainment at this year’s Saskatoon EX.

The annual summer event kicks off Thursday and will keep the fun going until next Thursday. Gates will open at 11am and the festival will wrap up at midnight each day.

This year’s rides will come from North American Midway again. North American Midway rides have led to the EX having 83 per cent of the same rides the Calgary Stampede Midway has.

Candace Schierling is with Prairieland. She explained that the festival will have many new additions, such as more shaded areas and the inclusion of the EX’s roots in agriculture.

“We’re bring back agriculture in a big way this year. We have a whole agriculture area with a grain bin gazebo, and we have Alfie the alpaca that leads guests through the experience.”

Schierling said their concessions are always working hard to come up with new food creations, such as sushi tacos and bourbon bacon.

There’s is live entertainment every night at the EX, also the nightly Mardi Gras parade and fireworks to wrap up each day.