Hometown Heroes the Morris family to lead Whoop-Up Days Parade
Celebrating 40 years of Gas King supporting the local community, owners the Morris family named honorary parade marshals
Lethbridge, Alta. – More than just a local business, Gas King has become a southern Alberta community institution over the past 40 years, supporting countless charities, organizations and community initiatives. In recognition of this support, Gas King owners the Morris family are being honoured as honorary parade marshals of the 2025 Whoop-Up Days Parade. The Morris’ represent the 2025 Whoop-Up Days Parade theme of Hometown Heroes. The Whoop-Up Days Parade presented by Park Place Shopping Centre takes place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
“The Morris’ have separated themselves as philanthropists and community supporters who care about making their hometown a better place,” says Sydney Koppe, Director, Community Engagement, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “As Gas King celebrates its 40th anniversary and 25 years of supporting Whoop-Up Days, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the wide range of organizations and initiatives that have been improved by the contributions of Gas King thanks to the generous spirit quietly exemplified by Don, Brent and the entire Morris family. We are thankful for them and they are truly hometown heroes.”
Founded by Don Morris and his son, Brent in 1985, Gas King has remained a family-owned business while expanding to seven locations across Lethbridge, Picture Butte and Medicine Hat. From the beginning, community support has been core to the company’s operations and the Morris family has given hundreds of thousands of dollars back to the community. Gas King owner Brent Morris, his wife Francesca and children Zachary and Alexa will lead the parade, while honouring the memory of Brent’s late parents Don and Georgia.
“We are very honored to lead this year’s Whoop-Up Days parade,” says Brent Morris, President, Gas King. “Our contributions over the years would not be possible without the support of our great community and the Gas King team, who take care of our customers day in and day out.”
Among the many organizations Gas King has supported over the past 40 years are the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Lethbridge Bulls, Lethbridge Polytechnic, University of Lethbridge’s Operation Red Nose, the Alberta International Airshow, the Italian Open Golf Tournament, the Lethbridge Curling Club, the Galt Museum and Archives, Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Link Pathway, Street Wheeler’s Street Machine Weekend and more. In 2024, Gas King pledged $150,000 to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s Brining Hearts Home campaign. The Don Morris / Gas King Memorial Fund was created in 2004, with proceeds supporting the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Countless other organizations have been supported through their Charity Car Wash program and donations of gift cards, Williwa coupons and merchandise.
A supporter of Whoop-Up Days since 2001, Gas King is once again presenting Free ‘Til 3 in 2025, which allows free admission to Whoop-Up Days for everyone from noon to 3 p.m. from Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 21. The Morris family will be making a number of appearances at Whoop-Up Days and the Lethbridge & District Pro Rodeo as part of their recognition as parade marshals.
The Whoop-Up Days Parade presented by Park Place Shopping Centre is the iconic start to Lethbridge’s most popular and longest-running community fair. Showcasing the people, businesses, and organizations who call Lethbridge home, the parade is a celebration of the region’s heritage and future. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19, the parade starts at Park Place Shopping Centre, travels south along 3rd St S, east on 3rd Ave S, north on 13th St N, then east on 9th Ave N, before dispersing at Galbraith Elementary School.
Learn more at whoopupdays.ca.
For more information, contact:
Paul Kingsmith | Director, Event Development
C: 403.915.1115 | P: 403.328.4491 ext 202 | E: paul.kingsmith@agrifoodhub.ca
3401 Parkside Drive South – Lethbridge, AB – T1J 4R3
Lethbridge & District Exhibition
