2022 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
MARCH 28 th –APRIL 2 nd
It’s great to be back together
Proud to support the return of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
Canada’s Finest Regional University BE agile • BE courageous • BE inclusive
BrandonU.ca
3 MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN Welcome back to the fair
Thank you, to every person and every business that has stuck with us through two years of shutdowns. Thank you for supporting the smaller fundraisers that have kept the doors open and allowed us to keep our fi- nancial obligations met. We were able to host drive through breakfasts, a summer fair drive-in movie night, and Midway Madness in September, all were a financial boost for us. In the fall our intrepid cattle direc- tor Dallas Johnston pushed to host Ag EX, which was well attended by cattle producers, also hungry for the showring and the camaraderie that agriculture shows bring and proved that people are ready to get out and gather as a community. We are feverishly planning the Roy- al Manitoba Winter Fair, and while we are excited to be hosting this fair live and in person, we are also very aware of the obligation to ensure a safe environment for our patrons. Be
assured that we will follow the Man- itoba health recommendations and we encourage all to practice the basic fundamentals. We have always had a strong bio security protocol for the animals, we will extend that diligence to all of our public areas with hand wash stations and regular cleaning in all areas. The provincial Exhibition of Man- itoba and the events that they pro- duce have a proven track record of significantly boosting the economy in Brandon, hotels, restaurants, our partner the Keystone Centre and all of businesses in Brandon could use this much needed shot in the arm! On behalf of our directors and staff I welcome you back to the 2022 Roy- al Manitoba winter fair. We look for- ward to seeing you in person!
Kathy Cleaver President
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba president Kathy Cleaver
204-729-8989 • BRANDON, MB
www.aats.ca
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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We are so excited to bring to you the 2022 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair. We are looking forward to hosting you March 28, 2022 to April 2, 2022. The Royal will be the first major fair or exhibition in Manitoba since March 2020. This event will be different. You have a different attitude toward your personal space and health. We are following Manitoba Health Public Health orders as they will be in place as of our fair week. We are confident you will join us at our event being respectful and understanding of in- dividual preferences while in public. We have a great line of equestrian events lined up. We will have one of our largest heavy horse entry fields that we have had in years. We are pleased to have Wawanesa Insurance as our anchor sponsor for both our Monday Gambler’s Choice and the Saturday Grand Prix. We thank our many horse event sponsors, Tim Hortons, The Brandon Sun, the Government of Manitoba, Prairie Dodge Dealers, Atco Rent- als, and RBC Canada are a number of our major sponsors. We thank the dozens or other sponsors that fill a critical role in making it possible for the Provincial Exhibition of Manito- ba to bring the 2022 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair to you our patrons, ex- hibitors and sponsors. Horse shows and competitions are only a part of the week-long show we put on. Brandon University and Manitoba Credit Unions sponsor en- Greetings from the 2022 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair Co-Chairs
Royal Manitoba Winter Fair co-chairs Wayne Buhr, left, and Clint Swain.
igent through COVID to ensure each one of us has access to good safe food. Use this opportunity to thank each producer for their work to keep our food supply available and safe, especially these last two years. Please note that the petting zoo sponsored by Westoba Credit Union will have a different look this year as the health and safety of you and the animals has increased importance. One of the differences this year is that the Royal Manitoba Win- ter Fair will not have access to the entire Keystone Centre facility. As Manitoba transitions out of the pandemic mode the fair will not be using the Manitoba and UCT rooms. We ask you to be aware of directional signage as parts of the event are in different places. Our main tradeshow room for 2022 will be the MNP hall. Welcome to the 2022 Royal Mani- toba Winter Fair. Join us 7 a.m. Mon- day March 28, 2022 for the Sunrise Breakfast at the Dome Building. Breakfast will be great. We will also kick off the day with some of our entertainers — the show starts at 10 a.m. in the Keystone Cen- tre on Monday March 28, 2022. Let’s Make this Fair the best fair to remember. Royal Manitoba Winter Fair Co-Chairs Clint Swain & Wayne Buhr
tertainment and event for Family & Kids day. We are happy to announce Tom Bishop’s Wild West Show & Fu- sion Credit Union Woof Jocks as headline entertainers in the Amphi- theatre on the Manitoba Hydro Stage for these days. Our fair would not be complete without Doodles and we are happy to announce Doodles is back with his AMAZING entertainment. We are happy to announce the Woof Jocks dog demonstration team sponsored by Fusion Credit Union will enter- tain you in the main arena and the Ag Education stage. We have a full schedule on the Ag Education stage with dog, horse, cattle, and bison demonstrations. Thank you to TD Canada Trust For their continued sponsorship of this stage. Our cattle shows and sales are back, while the youth in the show are working, do not be afraid to ask them questions, they are great am- bassadors for the beef industry. Our Royal Farm Yard has many industry groups back. The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is one of the few places in Canada where you can see a ful- ly functional dairy, chicken layer, or chicken broiler facility. Please come and enjoy this opportunity to learn about the industry that continues to keep each of us fed. The primary agriculture industry in Manitoba has continued to be dil-
MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
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WOOFJOCKS Kwik leaps over high bars as the Woof Jocks Canine All-Stars perform during the opening day of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair at the Keystone Centre in 2019. The Woof Jocks, sponsored by Fusion Credit Union, will return for another run during the fair with performances throughout the week. Fairgoers can enjoy a “meet and greet” with the animals and their trainers between shows in Salon A of the Keystone Centre. (File/The Brandon Sun)
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Brandon set to celebrate with return of the winter fair BY CHELSEA KEMP Doodles the Clown performs for a crowd of balloon waving kids during the 2018 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair at the Keystone Centre. (File)
al Manitoba Winter Fair in 1970 when the event was granted Patronage by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II. Opening up the Keystone Centre for the RMWF for the first time in two years will be an epic opportunity, Crisanti said. “It’s going to be a huge celebration,” he said. “This, besides the Brandon Wheat Kings, is probably going to be the larger event that we’ve seen in about two years.”
experiences the best atten- dance out of the different shows hosted each year by Provincial Ex and brings in the most funds for the or- ganizations. Seeing the RMWF can- celled due to the COVID-19 pandemic created im- mense economic stress on the non-profit and the community connections they have helped foster for more than a century. The Brandon Winter Fair has been taking place since March 1906, and went on to be rechristened the Roy-
the community in person. “We’ve worked so hard. We’ve waited so long and I know our board and staff can’t wait to see everybody over at the Keystone Centre for a great party and lots of entertainment at the long-overdue Royal Mani- toba Winter Fair,” Crisanti said. He described the winter fair as one of Province Ex’s pristine events of the year. Seeing the RMWF can- celled for the last two years has been a crushing disap- pointment. The winter fair
The 2022 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair marks a trium- phant return to the Key- stone Centre and Brandon community for the Provin- cial Exhibition of Manito- ba. It is incredible to see the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair (RMWF) once again return to the Wheat City, said Province Exhibition of Manitoba Past Presi- dent Greg Crisanti, who expressed his excitement to begin reconnecting with
» Continued on Page 7
MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
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Continued from Page 6
He expects it will feel dif- ferent going around the fa- cility and seeing that many people in one spot inside, but community members are ready to start re-con- necting as COVID-19 pub- lic health measures come to an end. It is an exciting time at Provincial Ex, he said, de- scribing it as an adrenaline rush as staff, directors and volunteers prepare for the event at the end of March. There is a full list of activ- ities to complete and he praised the hard work of everyone involved. “The pandemic has played a part and has af- fected so many people. But, like they say, our show must go on and we’re just excited to get back in there and smell the smells of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and check out some great
Riya Belcher, 7, of Brandon cuddles with Vinnie, a clydesdale owned by Heather and Chris Arthur of Gentrice Farms, as her brother Johnny brushes Vinnie during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in 2019. (File/The Brandon Sun)
itors can also take a break from exploring to enjoy the mini donuts or caramel ap- ples to stay energized. » Continued on Page 8
from entertainment and world-class horse shows to heavy horses and a petting zoo, trade show exhibits and cattle producers and everything in between. Vis-
action,” Crisanti said. Since its inception, the RMWF has proven to be a popular community event offering something special for everyone who visits —
Welcome Back to the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair!
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Continued from Page 7 “Our fair really has a lit- tle bit of everything for ev- eryone,” Crisanti said. “It’s great entertainment and you don’t have to be edu- cated on agriculture.” It has been two years since the community was able to gather in person, he added, and he is excited to bring little kids to the event, including a one-year-old who has never been able to take in the sights of the fair. His two older children have not stopped talking about the winter fair since they were able to attend before the COVID-19 can- cellations. “We’re really excited, just as my parents did, to take them around and experi- ence the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and everything it brings,” Crisanti said. “Everybody has a memory
Kids race to capture a piglet in the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair Pig Scramble during a past winter fair. (File)
the six-horse hitch, Cana- dian Tire always served as a sponsor. As the oldest of the grandchildren, Crisan- ti had the honour of going out to present ribbons with his grandfather to compet- itors. “It’s something I will al- ways remember,” Crisan- ti said. “It’s something I definitely hold close to my heart.” He now enjoys those victory laps in the arena with his kids as a sponsor through Tim Hortons, and said it’s great to be carrying on these traditions with the next generation. Crisanti described him- self as a “city boy,” and said coming around the Key- stone Centre at the RWMF has always proven to be an engaging and educational experience. Visitors get to see animals up close, meet unique producers and enjoy connecting with new faces. It is a wonderful event for Province Ex, the City of Brandon and Westman, Crisanti said, one that of- fers a critical opportunity to promote agriculture. “It’s strongly important, especially when you talk about Brandon. We’re the Wheat City and agriculture is all around us. It’s im- portant for kids who aren’t
of the Royal Manitoba Win- ter Fair and it’s something that I hope continues for our city for many, many, years to come.” Crisanti’s grandfather Merv Dillabough was a Ca- nadian Tire dealer in Bran- don for many years. During
brought up on the farm, like many of us were or are, it’s just so important to go over our heritage and the past and present innova- tions coming out of agri- culture.” To get the most out of the RMWF guests can craft a day based on visitors’ in- dividual interests. Some come bright and early, while others show up a lit- tle later. “You can check out the horse show at night and stay there for opening cere- monies,” Crisanti said. “It’s totally up to what you want to do.” Crisanti cautioned visi- tors cannot take in all the sites in one day, so he rec- ommends coming by the grounds multiple times to make the most out of the winter fair. “It’s definitely a little bit different each day, and of course, as we get going throughout the week and our evening horse show in the main arena the more money is up for our com- petitors and the more stronger and exciting the horse show is,” Crisanti said. “It’s a different show each time.” » ckemp@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
Thank You to the Sponsors of the 2022 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
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Thank You to our Media Sponsors
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Start times are approximate. Schedule is subject to change.
Monday, March 28, 2022
Approx. Time
Event
Location
Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba - Dome Building
7 - 10 AM Sunrise Breakfast
8:00 AM Hunter Jumper Horse Show opens
Westoba Ag Centre
1.00m, 1.1m, 1.20m Jumper Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Light Draft Team Single Roadster Pony Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving Light Draft Team Single Roadster Pony Ladies Team
9:00 AM
Westoba Place Main Arena
Royal Farm Yard presented by Peavy Mart & Maple Leaf Foods
10 AM - 7 PM
Flynn Arena
12PM
Doodles the Clown
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
12:30 PM Little Buckaroos
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
Equine Assisted Learning
1:00 PM
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
1:20 PM Tom Bishop Wild West Show
Westoba Place Main Arena
2:00 PM WoofJocks Canine All Stars presented by Fusion Credit Union
Westoba Place Main Arena
2:00 PM Meadowind Miniatures
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
Doodles the Clown Little Buckaroos Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate
2:00 PM
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
2:30 PM 4-H Manitoba
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
Ricklyn Farms
3PM
3:30 PM MB Clydesdale Association (World Clydesdale Show)
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
4 - 5 PM Equine Assisted Learning
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage MB Hydro Amphitheatre Westoba Place Main Arena
4:00 PM Little Buckaroos
4 - 5PM Royal Experiences - Wagon Ho
5PM
Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
6:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
Westoba Place Main Arena
Wawanesa Gamblers' Choice Brandon Sun Four Horse Tandem Team Tom Bishop Wild West Show P. Quintain Calf Scramble MBLL Volunteer Award Presentation Single Harness Pony Barrel Racing WoofJocks Canine All Stars presented by Fusion Credit Union Men's Cart
7:00 PM
Westoba Place Main Arena
11 MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN Volunteers are essential to successful Royal fair BY CHELSEA KEMP
do with the horses and the competitions taking place. She has the opportunity to interact with people from across North America and it is exciting because every- one there has a shared love of anything and everything equine. “You get to know some of those people that come back year after year,” Sweet said. She described the feel- ing when she enters the Key- stone Centre as a reunion between friends who have built a strong foundation out of a love of the show.
mendous amount of time and energy each year to en- sure the RMWF finds suc- cess. These efforts, Sweet added, are bolstered by the backing they receive from the Brandon community. “Everybody is involved. All of the businesses and ev- erything are involved, any- where you go while you’re their people are talking about the fair,” Sweet said. “It’s an institution.” She spends her week on the Keystone Centre grounds volunteering with the horses at the winter fair. Sweet works almost ex- clusively with anything to
the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair (RMWF) will be a wel- comed return. “I think those people that are going to be coming are go- ing to be really glad that they can be there,” Sweet said. She returns each year out of her passion for horses, the show and the people she volunteers with. “The group that runs the show in Brandon is amaz- ing,” Sweet said. “Some of those people have been do- ing that for upwards of 40 years — once they’ve done it there are very few that don’t come back and do it again.” Volunteers provide a tre-
More than 100 volunteers serve as the premium oil keeping the well-oiled ma- chine of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair running each year. Gerri Sweet has been vol- unteering with the winter fair for more than 30 years making the trek to Brandon from her home northeast of Winnipeg to spend a week on the Keystone Centre grounds. It has been strange not making her annual pilgrim- age for the past two years, she said, and the return of
» Continued on Page 12
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Continued from Page 11
She is excited for the return of the 2022 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and is looking forward to mov- ing forward with business as usual. Some people may have a little bit of trepidation getting back to work af- ter seeing the event can- celled over the last two years due to COVID-19, Sweet said, but for the most part, anyone who has been involved in any way with the Winter Fair is looking forward to the show being back. Province Exhibition of Manitoba director Lil Bok has been volunteering with the winter fair for around 20 years. Bok first became in- volved with the show through her children. “It was just fun and the kids loved it,” Bok said. “I have a daughter that’s involved with horses. She doesn’t compete in the Fair, but we do have hors- es at home. It’s just a gen- eral interest and it’s just fun.” She returns each year because she enjoys work- ing with the animals and her fellow volunteers. “The atmosphere is pretty upbeat,” Bok said. “It should be really good this year since it’s been a pandemic and it’s been three years since we had the fair. Everybody’s really looking forward to getting back to some kind of nor- malcy.” It was strange not hav- ing one of her favourite events to attend during the global health crisis, she said. When the fair is on Bok’s day typically starts around 6 a.m. and she is on the grounds working until she returns home at 10 p.m. She spends her
Cody Hunter with Shady H Farms in Kenton, MB, washes one of their Belgian horses during the 2018 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair at the Keystone Centre. (File/The Brandon Sun)
ily and coworkers to join the team. She described volunteering as a great opportunity that offers a chance to get a foot in the door of agriculture. It takes about 100 vol- unteers to help run the show, and many volun- teers are looking to return because they have missed the winter fair over the last two years. Volunteers offer an ex- citing peek behind the curtain to see how volun- teers keep the fair a “well- oiled machine.” “It’s just a fun group to work with,” Bok said. “We’re hoping to fill the seats and get back to where it used to be.” » ckemp@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
have no exposure to farm- ing, she said, it is espe- cially neat getting them to meet the animals. “To me, the whole fair is a favourite. It’s just nice to see all the different an- imals and the competi- tion.” Bok especially enjoys the competition aspect of the winter fair as it pres- ents something new each year. She also enjoys the friendships she has been able to forge in the barns with some of her favour- ite people she only gets to see once a year. “It’s just nice to connect with them every year at this time,” Bok said. “It’s a big reunion.” She encourages oth- ers to volunteer for the RMWF – Bok takes pride in recruiting friends, fam-
days on the horse show side of the winter fair. Her morning typically starts with helping with the schooling rounds and ensuring it is run in a timely fashion. She also organizes all of the volun- teers to work in the horse show area, this includes the main arena. “It’s just a matter of making sure everything is run in a timely fashion,” Bok said. She also enjoys getting the opportunity to intro- duce people to agricul- ture and help educate those who may be unfa- miliar with the sector. It is always exciting seeing youth from the city learn where their food comes from and other interest- ing things. For young people who
Credit Union Family Day: March 30
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The Credit Unions serving southwestern Manitoba are excited to present Max & Ruby’s Musical Playdate!
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Winter Fair boasts proud history BY BUD ROBERTSON AND KAREN MCKINLEY
After a two year hiatus, the Roy- al Manitoba Winter Fair gets to cel- ebrate a milestone and bring live events back to the public. The Provincial Exhibition was slat- ed to celebrate the actual 50th anni- versary of the fair’s “royal” title two years ago, but those plans were scut- tled by the advance of the pandemic. This year, however, the fair organiz- ers plan to carry on with the anniver- sary celebrations in spite of the delay. There have been a few changes in those two years, including a new president. Kathy Cleaver is now sit- ting at the helm and said even though the fair received short notice it could go ahead this year, there is an infec- tious excitement running through all those who are involved in making the fair happen.
Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands during a visit to Brandon on July 12, 1970. (File)
» Continued on Page 15
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MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
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perience from virtual. In this day and age of Xbox and screens, this fair is a tactile experience offering sights, sounds and smells and tastes everyone needs to have.” The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair has a long and storied history in Brandon. The fair itself is 152 years old, but it hasn’t always been a royal event. It re- ceived that designation on July 11, 1970, when Queen Elizabeth II granted roy- al patronage to the winter fair. This allows the fair to have the “royal” title forev- er. At the time, the fair was also being held in the new- ly-built Keystone Centre and was one of the first major events held in the building. But the fair’s roots in this community go back much further. » Continued on Page 16
Continued from Page 14
Staff and volunteers at the fair have had to work extra hard to make sure events go as planned. Ev- eryone knows it’s an all- hand-on-deck situation and the team and directors are expecting everyone to give it their all to make the fair a success, Cleaver said. “It’s sad that our staff has contracted during the pandemic, and when that happens a lot of history goes with them,” she said. “We’ve also had a lot of people that have been with us for years return. Once they get in and get to work, things happen. I have faith that they know what they are doing.” The most important part for Cleaver is that children who have never experi- enced the fair live will fi- nally get to be there. “It’s a very different ex-
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Continued from Page 15
The first Brandon Sum- mer Fair was held in July 1889 on the corner of what is today 10th Street and Victoria Avenue, according to the Provincial Exhibi- tion of Manitoba. It moved to its current location on the Keystone grounds in the late 1800s. The need soon arose for a second annual fair and 1906, the Brandon Winter Fair was born, according to the archives. The purpose of this fair was primarily to promote the sale of livestock and encourage improvement in the breeding lines and care of animals, according to the Provincial Exhibi- tion. Educational oppor- tunities were added to the fair, as well displays by government agencies, im- plement dealers and other manufacturers. » Continued on Page 17
In 1882, to show the ag- ricultural potential of the region, Charles Whitehead and a small board of di- rectors decided to hold an agricultural exhibition, according to a paper in the S.J. McKee Archives at Brandon University. That October, Brandon held its first agricultur- al exhibition at what was known as Market Square on two acres of land on Princess Avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets. The weather didn’t co-op- erate, however, so the turnout was small, the paper says. The following year was much better, and there were 730 entries into the exhibition. By 1884, the board of directors of the Brandon Agricultural Society, which was in charge of the exhi- bition, realized they were
Queen Elizabeth II speaks with an unknown youth during a visit to Brandon and the Provincial Exhibition on July 12, 1970. (File)
was not the best time for farmers to be leaving their farms. In 1888, it was de- cided to move the exhibi- tion to the summertime.
in poor financial shape, to the point of being person- ally out of pocket, the pa- per reads. They realized October
Welcome To The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
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MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
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Continued from Page 16
The Winter Fair began on the Keystone grounds and later moved to the Wheat City Arena location and remained there until the building of the Keystone Centre, which now hosts all three of the Provincial Exhibition’s annual events, according to the Provincial Exhibition. In the early years, both fairs ran independently, until 1967, when the amal- gamation of the two fairs took place and it became the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. In 1913, Brandon re- ceived the honour of host- ing the Dominion Exhibi- tion, a national exhibition sponsored by the federal government. There were several cities vying for the 1913 Dominion Exhibi- tion, but it was Brandon that impressed the spon-
School of Music student Rebecca Gillies trumpets in the riders to the main arena during a past winter fair. (Bruce Bumstead/Brandon Sun)
restore it to its former glory. Also a Provincial Heritage Building, the Dome Build- ing officially reopened in June 2018. In addition to hosting numerous events, it’s also home to the offices of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. » kmckiney@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @karenleighmck1
Shillinglaw and David Mar- shall, two prominent Bran- don architects, the building has been used continuous- ly for exhibition purposes by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. The building was desig- nated a National Historic Site in 1999, and 10 years later restorations began to
sors the most, according to the BU archives. Opening the same year the Dominion Fair was established, the Dome Building is a rare surviv- ing example of agricultural buildings constructed in Manitoba, according to the historical society. Designed by Walter H.
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THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Start times are approximate. Schedule is subject to change.
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Approx. Time
Event
Location
8:00 AM Hunter Jumper Horse Show opens
Westoba Ag Centre
0.90m, 1.00m, 1.15m, 1.2m Jumper Heavy Draft Team
9:00 AM
Westoba Place Main Arena
10 AM - 7 PM
Royal Farm Yard presented by Peavy Mart & Maple Leaf Foods
Flynn Arena
11:30 AM Doodles the Clown 12:00 PM Little Buckaroos
MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre
12:30 PM Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate
1:00 PM Equine Assisted Learning
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage MB Hydro Amphitheatre Westoba Place Main Arena Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
1:30 PM Little Buckaroos
1:30 PM Tom Bishop Wild West Show 1:30 PM MB Bison Association 2:00 PM Doodles the Clown 2:00 PM Meadowind Miniatures 2:00 PM WoofJocks Canine All Stars
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
2:30 PM 4-H Manitoba
2:30 PM Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
3:00PM Ricklyn Farms
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
Little Buckaroos Doodles the Clown
3:30 PM
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
3:30 PM Tom Bishop Wild West Show Presentation 4 - 5 PM Farrier Presentation - Gerd Martin 4 - 5 PM Royal Experiences - Mini Horses 5PM WoofJocks - The Wonders of WoofJocks
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena
6:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
Manitoba Agriculture & Provincial Ex of Manitoba Manitoba Cup Four Horse Team ChemTrade Calf Scramble Barrel Racing MBLL Volunteer Award Presentation WoofJocks Canine All Stars presented by Fusion Credit Union Youth Cart Heavy
Tom Bishop Wild West Show Hackney Pony Pleasure Driving
7:00 PM
Westoba Place Main Arena
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THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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The basics of Show Jumping Each night of the fair features some of Canada’s top equestrian show jumping. Riders and horses from all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alber- combination or runs out between two elements, the pair has to jump all two or three fences again. A combi- nation is considered as one obstacle (with two or three difficulties).
lot that usually begins to ride at a young age. The rider is the brain of this “athlete combination”. The rid- er must have skill and talent: an eye, and a sense of balance not to disturb the horse. He/she is the one who “molds” the horse, requiring years of work, education, dressage, and pa- tience. On the course, the eye of the rider and his ability to make quick decisions are as important as the skill of the horse, his physical apti- tude, his carefulness, etc. Arena: The arena is the stage. West- man Place has a capacity of more than 5,000 spectators and during show time; it is filled with people, TV cameras and, in the arena, the ob- stacles surrounded by decorations (flowers etc.) which may distract the horses. Combination: A combination is a series of two or three fences sepa- rated by one or two cantering strides. If the horse refuses one fence of the
Course-designer: The designer must consider the level of the com- petitors and of the class, the table, and its relevant rules. The goal is to adjust the level of difficulty to favour the best riders while allowing all com- petitors to complete the course safely. Elimination: After a second stop (refusal) or a fall of the horse and/or the rider, the pair is eliminated. Jump-off: It’s the “tie-break”: the jump-off takes place at the end of some Table A classes to decide be- tween the competitors placed equally after the main round. The jump-off course is shorter and different to that of the first round and is against the clock.
ta, Ontario and the Midwest United States will be vying for a share of over $140,000 in cash prizes. Judged on their performance, rid- ers and horses must complete a set pattern of jumps. Show jumping is the only sport where two living be- ings compete together: a horse and a rider. The Horse: The horses are the prod- uct of long and patient work, studying genetics and hours of training. The young horse begins his sporting life at three with light schooling and usual- ly takes part in his first competitions at four. A good horse starts to be suc- cessful at eight, and is at the peak of his career from 10 to 15, but can keep performing until the age of 20. The Rider: The rider is the pi-
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proximately 3.50 meters. The rider can shorten or lengthen the strides in order to adjust their number be- tween two fences so that the horse can jump the obstacle in good condi- tions, taking off neither too close nor too far. Table: Different scoring systems are used to place the competitors at the end of the class. The most com- mon is the “Table A” where jump- ing faults or the first refusal gener- ate four penalty points. Time faults may be added to the final result: one point for every four seconds over the allowed time. In “Table C” classes, jumping faults are converted into seconds added to the time taken to complete the course. Walking the course: Once the course has been built by the course-designer and his team, the riders are allowed to “walk the course” with their coach- es in order to memorize the design the route, to calculate the number of strides between the obstacles po- sitioned close together and to locate the short-cut and other way to save time in case of a speed-class or in view of a prospective jump-off.
Mixed: Show jumping is one of the very few sports in which male and fe- male competitors (both horses and riders) compete in the same classes. Obstacles (fences or jumps): There are two major types of obstacles: wide (spread-jumps) and vertical. The lat- ter is a fence comprising at least two poles arranged vertically. On the oth- er hand, a spread is wide as well as high. It may be wider than it is high and be lower at the front (rising) or the same height (parallel). A spread with two elements is called an over. A rising spread with three or more ele- ments is called a triple-bar. A normal course comprises between 11 and 14 obstacles. A combination of jumps is considered as one obstacle. Prize money: The performances in a show jumping competition are rewarded by money. The first 30 per cent of the placed riders receive prize money and the winner alone receives 30 per cent of the total prize money of a class. Stride: One of the main difficul- ties of show jumping lies in the way
Lynne Stephenson leaps over an ob- stacle atop WH Coconut during the Manitoba Cup show jumping event at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair at the Keystone Centre in 2018. (File) the riders will manage the strides of their horses between the fences. One cantering stride of a horse covers ap-
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Start times are approximate. Schedule is subject to change.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Approx. Time
Event
Location
8:00 AM Hunter Jumper Horse Show opens
Westoba Ag Centre
0.09m, 1.10m, 1.15m, 1.2m Jumper Fault & Out Relay Aaron Martin - Six Horse Tandem Team Heavy
Pair of Harness Ponies Tandem Team Heavy
9:00 AM 10 AM - 7 PM
Westoba Place Main Arena
Royal Farm Yard presented by Peavy Mart & Maple Leaf Foods
Flynn Arena
11:00 AM Little Buckaroos 11:00 AM Meet a Heavey Horse
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba - Dome Building MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre Westoba Place Main Arena
11:00 AM Manitoba Pork Quality Luncheon
Equine Assisted Learning
11:30 AM
12:00 PM Max & Ruby's Musical Playdate 12:30 PM Tom Bishop Wild West Show 12:30 PM Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate 1:00 PM Justin Carvey Cattle Clinic 1:30 PM Max & Ruby's Musical Playdate 1:45 PM WoofJocks Canine All Stars
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage MB Hydro Amphitheatre Westoba Place Main Arena
2:00 PM Little Buckaroos
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
2:00 PM Meadowind Miniatures 2:30 PM Doodles the Clown
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
MB Hydro Amphitheatre
2:30 PM 4-H Manitoba
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
3:00PM Doodles the Clown
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
3:00 PM Max & Ruby's Musical Playdate 3:30 PM Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate
MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre
3:30 PM MB Clydesdale Association (World Clydesdale Show)
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena
4 - 5 PM Equine Assisted Learning 4 - 5PM Royal Experiences - Rodeo Trials 5:00 PM WoofJocks - The Wonders of WoofJocks
6:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
Prairie Dodge Retailers Dog/Horse Relay Redfern Farm Services Pig Scramble Six Horse Tandem MBLL Volunteer Award Presentation Tom Bishop Wild West Show Single Roadster Pony Ladies Cart Heavy
Westoba Place Main Arena
7:00 PM
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THE ROYAL FARM YARD A goat sleeps nestled against Jessica Andrews of Winnipeg as she holds it in the petting zoo in The Royal Farm Yard during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in this file image from 2017. The Royal Farm Yard, sponsored this year by Maple Leaf Foods and Peavy Mart, will include a number of exciting attractions for the entire family – from the TD Action Stage to the Farm Yard Friends presented by Westoba Credit Union. (File/The Brandon Sun)
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THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Start times are approximate. Schedule is subject to change.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Approx. Time
Event
Location
8:00 AM Hunter Jumper Horse Show opens
Westoba Ag Centre
1.0m, 1.10m, 1.15m, 1.20m Jumper Youth Showmanship Heavy
8:00 AM
Westoba Place Main Arena
10 AM - 7 PM
Royal Farm Yard presented by Peavy Mart & Maple Leaf Foods
Flynn Arena
11:00 AM Heavy Horse Youth Decorating
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba - Dome Building MB Hydro Amphitheatre Westoba Place Main Arena MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre
11:00 AM Little Buckaroos 11:30 AM Razzmatazz for Kids
11:30 AM Equine Assisted Learning
12:00 PM Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate 12:15 PM Tom Bishop Wild West Show
1:00 PM Doodles the Clown 1:30 PM Razzmatazz for Kids 2:00 PM Little Buckaroos
MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre
2:30 PM Captain Corbin the Magician Pirate
1 - 4 PM Cattle Steer Show
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena
2:00 PM WoofJocks Canine All Stars
3:30 PM Razzmatazz for Kids 4:00 PM Doodles the Clown
MB Hydro Amphitheatre MB Hydro Amphitheatre
4 - 5 PM BMO Farm Families Luncheon 4 - 5PM Royal Experiences - Saddle Up
Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage Westoba Place Main Arena
5:00 PM WoofJocks - The Wonders of WoofJocks
6:30 PM Opening Ceremonies
ATCO Cup BMO Farm Family Presentation
Redfern Farm Services Pig Scramble MBLL Volunteer Award Presentation WoofJocks Canine All Stars presented by Fusion Credit Union MB Hydro Four Horse Team Championship Tom Bishop Wild West Show Cowtown Hackney Pony Pleasure Champion
Westoba Place Main Arena Flynn Arena TD Ag Action Stage
7:00 PM
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THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Winter fair’s return a boost to Brandon BY CHELSEA KEMP Roya Mummery, 3, watches the Woofjocks Canine Allstars perform at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Westoba Place. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun)
explore the winter fair each year, she said. Not only are they coming by the Key- stone Centre but also ac- cessing restaurants, hotels and other amenities. “There’s a lot of mon- ey that changes hands,” Cleaver said. A recently completed survey estimates that Pro- vincial Ex events in Bran- don have more than an $18 million economic impact in the city. » Continued on Page 31
vincial Ex has pivoted to host smaller fundraising events during the pandem- ic and has appreciated the support they have received from the community, Cleaver said. “The Winter Fair is re- ally our all hands on deck [event]— all the directors have a job.” The winter fair has a major positive economic benefit in Brandon, as do all the events hosted by the Provincial Ex. About 200,000 visitors come to
tunity to engage our direc- tors again and engage our community,” Cleaver said. It has been disappoint- ing to see the event can- celled over the last two years, she added, which makes it all the more ex- citing to be “all systems go” on the 2022 event. The winter fair is Pro- vincial Ex’s major fund- raiser — it typically gener- ates enough profit to run administrative expenses through the year and helps keep staff employed. Pro-
The return of the Roy- al Manitoba Winter Fair marks a pivotal economic boost for the City of Bran- don and the Westman re- gion as a whole. Province Exhibition of Manitoba president Kathy Cleaver is ecstatic to see the return of the Roy- al Manitoba Winter Fair (RMWF). “It’s exciting. This is our flagship event. Everyone is on board it’s a good oppor-
MARCH 2022 • WINTER FAIR • THE BRANDON SUN
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Continued from Page 30
Trudel said. “For every one of those out of town dollars that come into our econ- omy they then generate employment for our peo- ple and that creates dis- cretionary income, which then goes out and supports all the other businesses in the community.” Dollars spent during the show do not just have a “one-time” impact on the community, and instead, go out and are circulating repeatedly through the community. Trudel esti- mates each dollar spent multiplies at least seven times when shopping lo- cally. Every event that hap- pens in the community is crucial to the community and the winter fair has a long-standing history in Brandon.
“The winter fair espe- cially puts heads in beds which is how they count success,” Cleaver said. “It’s a proven fact that we have a huge economic impact … after two years of hotels struggling, we are going to fill the beds. It helps every- body.” The city’s tourism sec- tor receives a major boost from any size event taking place that promotes “group business,” said Sandy Tru- del, director of economic development for the City of Brandon. The pandem- ic has been very tough on this sector, but there is now a “ray of optimism” that comes in knowing the winter fair will go ahead and return to operations in 2022. “They have been with us forever — it’s just so excit- ing,” Trudel said.
Keystone Centre employee Lucy Neufeld scoops up pop- corn. (File)
are also more hidden pos- itive impacts. “What people maybe don’t think further of is somebody who is here for a stay. They’re using our restaurants. They’re pur- chasing fuel. They’re doing shopping, in some instanc- es they may even take part in some specific services,”
Events like the winter fair have a major economic im- pact on Brandon in a vari- ety of different ways. Some economic impacts are generally understood like the thousands of hotel room nights booked in the community for the event generating immediate rev- enue, she said, but there
» Continued on Page 32
THE BRANDON SUN • WINTER FAIR • MARCH 2022
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Continued from Page 31
As an internationally rec- ognized event, the winter fair brings a whole new lev- el of exposure for the com- munity, along with a large volume of visitors to the Wheat City. “They are definitely an integral part of our com- munity, but we have other large events that are just as important,” Trudel said. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tru- del described the fair as the first big kick back into the foray of events post-pan- demic. “That’s where the excite- ment gets generated it’s a sign that we have now found a way to be able to go back to our roots of be- ing a tremendous host city for events,” Trudel said. “It’s that ray of hope that we are finding our way out of the COVID pandemic and
Shoppers make their way through the Keystone Centre. (File)
our ‘regular life.’ This is one more phase in that. It’s one more small step that gives everybody more optimism, helps people just to adjust a little bit more back to how things once were,” Cooper said. “It’s very exciting to see this happening.” The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has done a tre- mendous job of surviving in a world where they were unable to engage in the tra- ditional events they host in the community, Cooper said. He is happy they can “get up off the mat” and start to do what they are ex- cellent at — hosting events like winter fair. “We’re just really excit- ed to see this and more and more of these types of things to happen again. We’re going to see some more vents come back as the year goes on and I hope that people will be respectful to each other as we all sort of work our way through this … people are adjusting at different speeds and we have to un- derstand that some people are a little slower and some people are a little faster.” » ckemp@brandonsun.com » Twitter: @The_ChelseaKem
RMWF return, Brandon Chamber of Commerce president Barry Cooper told the Sun. He estimates there is at least $12 million generated from the eco- nomic spin-offs from the winter fair alone. “It’s more than that, I think it gives everybody a feeling that we’re start- ing again a little bit farther down that path to return- ing to a lot of regular life,” Cooper said. “I think that glimmer of optimism is a really, really important thing to see here as we get into spring.” These critical economic spin-offs will continue to grow as the community sees the travelling public once again return to the city. Brandon is at the two- year mark of when the world essentially stopped due to the COVID-19 virus and he is hopeful for what lies ahead as recovery be- gins, Cooper said. The win- ter fair is also helping build confidence that the city and province are on a road to economic and social re- covery after two years of crisis during the pandemic. “We’re slowly progress- ing back towards what we would like to think of as
demonstrating that we still can do large events here in the community despite all the circumstances that have changed in the last couple of years.” All businesses in the city are excited to see the
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