8
9
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • 2026
2026 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
Sometimes it’s a father or mother bringing their child, so it allows the family members, the grandma, grandpas, uncles to watch the live jumping rounds as they’re happening,” Swain said. The Winter Fair has expanded its Indigenous Celebration programming and multicultural programming this year, Clint Swain, co-chair of the Winter Fair, told the Sun. Building on programs that were successful last year, and looking to reach more audiences, the organizers expanded the schedule of events compared to last year. “We’re actually trying to manage that stage all day in the MNP Hall, dedicated towards the different cultures within our community and showcasing what they bring to our commu- nity,” Swain said. “Usually, in the past, we had it limited to a couple hours.” “The same with the Indigenous Celebration Day,” he said. “Last year, we had a renowned hoop dancer come, and then there were some Red River jiggers, and they were just a couple of sessions. But now we’re expanding that to bring different pow wow dancers, the jiggers, the hoopers, and we’re looking to focus that stage basically all day towards celebrating in the Indigenous culture.” The fleshed out schedule for multicultural and Indigenous events is a way to build upon audiences that showed success in recent years, Swain said. Organizers witnessed large crowds at these programs last year when there was smaller sched- ules of multicultural and Indigenous programming – so they decided it would be a good place to expand upon.
Beef programming for children and young adults will continue this year, with the return of a steer sale that has been discontinued since the COVID pandemic, said Laing Breemersch. “In order to breathe more life in and grow the junior cattle show, I’ve spent the last year talking to families and companies that might potentially bid on these steers to bring it back,” Laing Breemersch said. “It’s an outstanding way for kids … to be able to market an ani- mal that they have raised.” Laing Breemersch said the beef programs will also be a way to connect city families with the farming culture that surrounds them. If people don’t often get to see cattle, the livestock area allows for a zoo-like experience that is also educational and local, she said. “They can walk in amongst the animals. They can touch them, if they ask for permission, and get pictures, and just are able to enjoy showing their kids these ani- mals,” she said. I’m anticipating that there’s going to be close to 100 head of cattle just going off of the last two years worth of numbers.” Whether it’s visiting cattle, vendors or educational showcases, the programming at the fair is set to plant the seed of rural culture for families again this year.
Fair goers get a chance to pet a rabbit at the Royal Farm Yard. Hugo Girouard photo
The number of trade show vendors has increased in 2026 from last year. Hugo Girouard photo
204-726-1333 1919 Brandon Avenue, Brandon MB www.superiorautobrandon.com 204-726-1333 1919 Brandon Avenue, Brandon MB www.superiorautobrandon.com SERVICES: • Full Auto Service And Repair • Glass Repair & Windshield Replacement SERVICES: • Full Auto Service And Repair • Glass Repair & Windshield Replacement • Remote Starters • Air Conditioning • Tires And Wheel Alignments • Remote Starters • Air Conditioning • Tires And Wheel Alignments
Contact your insurance broker and ask about Portage Mutual Insurance. Protecting Manitobans Since 1884
Powered by FlippingBook