‘Bustling’ Ag Ex went smoothly, Provincial Ex reports

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This article was published 28/10/2024 (598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Ag Ex concluded on Saturday, showcasing the province’s rich agricultural heritage and drawing a crowd of enthusiastic attendees.

The event, organized by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, received positive feedback from both participants and visitors, marking a successful week despite some logistical challenges.

Provincial Ex president Clint Swain told the Sun he was satisfied with the event’s execution.

“It’s been a very good week for us,” he said. “We’ve had no major complaints, and the turnout has been encouraging.”

Swain, who took on the presidency this year while also overseeing daily operations, noted that managing the event was a considerable undertaking, especially without a general manager.

“There have been some sleepless nights,” he admitted, but he credited the support of his executive team and board of directors for a smooth operation.

The Provincial Ex has been without a general manager since June, when Westman entrepreneur Mark Humphries moved on from the position after holding it for about two years.

The event featured over 500 cattle and approximately 300 exhibitors, contributing to a lively atmosphere throughout the exhibition halls, he said.

While exact attendance numbers were difficult to gauge due to the free-entry format, Swain said the halls were consistently “bustling,” especially during the weekend. The “Supreme Extravaganza” on Friday night highlighted the best in the show, culminating in the crowning of a champion male and female cattle that will represent Manitoba at Agribition.

Reflecting on challenges from previous years, Swain pointed out issues related to the tie-out area for cattle.

“Last year, tie-outs were a little bit of a concern for us. We plan to expand our tie-out section next year to improve that experience,” he said.

The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, he said, is already looking ahead to next year’s Ag Ex.

Swain mentioned plans to further enhance the event, including expanding into the Keystone Centre to accommodate a growing number of exhibitors. The inclusion of the Sheep Association’s show this year was a new initiative that they hope to build upon in the future.

With two new co-chairs, Bob Scott and Tracy Wilcox, leading the event for the first time, Swain praised their efforts despite the usual growing pains that accompany new leadership.

“They did a phenomenal job,” he stated.

As for the future, Swain emphasized the importance of feedback and continued expansion. “We’ll debrief in the next week to gather insights from our exhibitors and look for new types of events to include,” he said. The objective remains to elevate the profile of Manitoba’s cattle breeders and strengthen the agricultural community’s connection with the public.

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