DIDSBURY - About 200 Wynonna Earp fans from around the world visited Didsbury last week to tour and admire some of the locations where their beloved show was filmed and those who missed out could catch some of the action Monday.
During filming of the supernatural western show – which ran from 2016 to 2021 and now includes a Tubi Network original film released in 2024 – Didsbury was ‘transformed’ into the fictional community of Purgatory, with many local buildings and public spaces used as props and filming locales.
Calling themselves ‘Earpers’, the fans were in Calgary for Earptopia Convention. Many of the convention goers came to Didsbury for what organizers called ‘Didsbury Day’ on Thursday, Oct. 3.
The fans toured the town, taking photos of buildings and getting up close looks at some of the props, including building signs, vehicles, and street-side attractions.
Fans who were unable to snag tickets for Didsbury Day could purchase separate tickets for similar activities on Monday, Oct. 7. A handful of people took advantage of that option.
Fans came from across Canada, the U.S., Europe and elsewhere for the convention and tour of Didsbury.
Dean Phoenix, a fan from Philadelphia, called the visit to Didsbury a great experience.
“The town has been great,” said Phoenix. “It’s incredible. I don’t think I realized that some of the bigger props were going go part of the showcase.”
Asked what she loves about the show, she said, “It’s such a great show and I think it is made with a lot of love and a lot of heart. It has a lot of humanity and relationships.
“It’s not two dimensional. It’s very rich. And there are many good people in the fandom. You go to the conventions and make friends from all over the world. I
“It’s a great community that is very supportive and very positive, so it is so great to come together to do something like this.”
Like all the her fellow fans, Jo Joinson, from Liverpool, England, said she has watched every minute of every episode.
“I like everything about the show,” Joinson said. “There is a comedy factor and you can see yourself as these people (in the show) living their day-to-day lives.”
She said seeing Didsbury, aka Purgatory, in person was a great experience.
“You get a real feel for it. It is actually bizarre to see it as an active town. It’s a fantastic town, 100 per cent a good community.”
Julie Combs, from Illinois, said the welcome given to fans by Didsburians has been first rate.
“Thanks you so much to the people of Didsbury,” said Combs. “We truly appreciate you and what you have done to bring us the great show. We come from all over the world to see the town.”
She said she immediately she recognized many of the buildings and other attractions.
“It’s all very familiar,” she said. “We love everything about the show.”
Annie Smith travelled from Hawaii for the Earptopia Convention.
“I’ve been watching the show from the beginning and I love the community of fans it has created and the friendships it has made.”
Sarah Hyam, from London, England, said, “As soon as I heard there was an opportunity come to Didsbury, I said, ‘I am going’. You guys (town residents) are absolutely fantastic and it is truly appreciated.”
Asked what she loves about the show, she said, “The community, where everyone is welcome, and the friendships that are going to last a lifetime.”
Mayor Rhonda Hunter said called the Earpers visit a great things for the town.
“This is a fantastic day,” said Hunter. “It is such a pleasure to welcome 200 Earpers from all over the world. We have welcomed Wynonna Earp in Didsbury since 2016, and the amazing following of Earpers are always welcome.
“It’s been a pleasure to say hi to each one of them as I have mingled and mixed downtown with them.”
