A new legislature session always opens with pompous fuss, but this week it’s not Alberta’s biggest political event.

That’s the UCP convention coming on the weekend in Red Deer.

Exactly 5,761 people have bought tickets, making this possibly the biggest political party meeting in Alberta’s history.

There isn’t so much as a broom closet available for rent in Red Deer — I know, having offered to rent one. Helpful hotel agents suggested rooms in Sylvan Lake or Leduc.

The party says 4,000 people will fit into the main hall at Westerner Park. An overflow room will welcome another 3,000 UCP sardines.

Ticket prices vary according to early or late purchase, and whether or not members care for a meal. But a rough guess would be an average of $175 per ticket.

That means about $1 million in revenue. The party says this huge haul will go to convention expenses. (Have they hired Taylor Swift?)

Megabucks aside, it’s doubtful that another party in Canada — provincial or federal — could draw such a giant crowd and so much cash for a mid-term meeting of any kind.

The massive interest from conservatives is due in large part to questions about whether Premier Danielle Smith will survive a leadership confidence vote.

At this point, the issue seems to be more a revenue-raiser than a real threat.

This history of these votes — especially the ejection of........

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