“Thursday and Friday last were certainly ‘red letter days’ in the history of Regina.” 

That’s how the Regina Leader described the very first exhibition in the Queen City, back on October 9, 1884. Known then as the Assiniboia Agricultural Society’s Show, this early version of today’s Queen City Ex (QCX) surprised even the most optimistic residents. “We were not prepared for what we did see,” the reporter wrote, marveling at the turnout and the sheer enthusiasm from the community. 

The goal back then was simple: celebrate agriculture, support local farmers, and bring people together. The fairgrounds buzzed with livestock shows, produce displays, and prairie pride. But more than anything, the fair was a gathering place — a chance for people in the young settlement of Regina to socialize, share ideas, and build community. 

As one local business put it, “they were never so ‘bustled up’ since Regina was christened.” 

Fast forward more than 140 years, and Queen City Ex remains one of Regina’s most cherished summer events. Now hosted at REAL District, just minutes from downtown Regina, QCX continues to offer something for everyone — from thrilling rides and nostalgic fair food to concerts, cultural showcases, and family fun. 

But even with all the changes — the new location, the rebranding from “Regina Exhibition” to “QCX,” the high-tech stage lights and Instagram-worthy cotton candy — the heart of the fair hasn’t changed. It’s still about community. Still about connection. Still about making summer memories in the Queen City. 

And just like the editorial back in 1884 urged, it still “behoves every farmer and inhabitant in the country to render all the aid in his power to make the Exhibition as great a success as possible, not for this year only, but as a precursor of even more successful Exhibitions in the years to come.” 

So, whether you’re planning your first QCX experience, or returning for another round of mini-donuts and midway games, know this: you’re part of a tradition that helped shape Regina itself.