Winter Fair was a ‘rousing success’

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This article was published 08/04/2023 (1091 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon’s premiere agricultural event was a big hit, says the general manager of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, who was still smiling this week because of a successful Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.

For five days during the province’s spring break, from March 27 to April 1, every inch of space on the Keystone Centre grounds and in the historic Dome building was transformed into a one-stop shop and show for all things agriculture.

Someone who was there every minute of every day — including the ATCO Cup, which features some of Canada’s top equestrian show jumping — was president of the Provincial Exhibition Kathy Cleaver who said she could feel the buzz of excitement.

“The feeling I got wherever I went was really good, so, as far as I’m concerned, it was a rousing success,” Cleaver said.

This is the Provincial Exhibition’s flagship event, and it takes more than 100 people, including volunteers and staff, to book the entertainers, organize livestock, secure judges, and set up the venues, according to general manager Mark Humphries.

The mandate of the organization is to showcase agriculture while connecting people from rural and urban communities.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Winter Fair was shelved for two years, so in 2022, when restrictions were lifted, organizers decided to go ahead and host the event with just six weeks to prepare.

That’s why, Humphries said, they made sure the 2023 Winter Fairhonoured the traditional shows but wanted something new to create a sense of community where people from rural and urban areas could gather. So, they designed a food court, located in the Manitoba Room.

The food court was licensed for alcohol with food vendors on one side of the room with the other half dedicated to family entertainment with a stage, virtual reality games, a carousel, wobbly water balls for the kids, a sitting area and 100 exhibitors in the craft and small-business trade show.

“It was full every day, there wasn’t a time that we saw a lull from when it opened at 10 a.m., until it closed at 7 p.m. For a trial concept, we were encouraged, and had lots of positive comments,” Humphries said.

As they recalled the week’s events, both Humphries and Cleaver talked excitedly about all the shows that were at capacity, including the crowd-favourite birds of prey, Juno-award-winning Al Simmons, Doodles the Clown, the petting zoo, and fiddlers’ contest.

Across the parking lot from the barns and the show ring is the historic 110-year-old Dome building, constructed for the Dominion Fair in 1913. It is the only surviving building of its kind in Canada and is designated a Provincial Heritage and National Historic Site.

Now that the Dome has been restored to its original glory, said Cleaver, there’s no better place to have luncheons and meetings during the Winter Fair.

“We kicked off the fair with the sunrise breakfast in the Dome, and then hosted 4-H and pork luncheons,” Cleaver said. “And we were thrilled to announce this year’s BMO farm families who represent the hard work and dedication it takes to keep family operations running.”

The final count of how many attended the 2023 edition of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is not yet complete, but Humphries said they observed on Saturday a 10 per cent increase over previous years.

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