Opinion

There’s something oddly satisfying about walking through the crowded hallways and venues of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair this year. The crowds are back — and with a vengeance. The Keystone Centre was packed with people on Wednesday afternoon, which no doubt will thrill the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.

And with them come all the hustle and bustle of kids with paper crowns, dragged by happily worn out parents and families, and the heavenly aromas of the food stalls that cater to them. But it’s not just the popcorn and mini donuts that catch the nostrils as you walk past. Fairgoers will find a variety of choices in this year’s fair fare — everything from falafel gyros at the Greek Food booths, to the usual favourites of corn dogs, ice cream and specialized lemonade.

But the big attraction this year has got to be the newest effort by fair planners, the Royal Food Court in the Manitoba Room, which has drawn together several food and venues to the same location. The main concourse features the Campfire Grill, which specializes in smoked local sausage, burgers, beef brisket and other beloved barbecue ballast.

Along the western wall of the Manitoba Room, a Mexican taco booth — which was closed while I was there — stands alongside another booth selling Ukrainian-style sausage and perogies.

The new Royal Food Court also features comfortable seating areas, from which you can watch your kids play in the giant balloons or ride the indoor full-scale merry-go-round. And yes, the Royal Food Court is licensed for alcohol, too.

Beyond the food court, you’ll find fair favourites in several nook-and-cranny hallways throughout the Keystone Centre, particularly along the concourse atop the Westoba Place Arena. A well-known local barbecue vendor called Smoked and Sauced Mobile BBQ has set up shop with a full menu of its greatest hits.

The booth’s Pac-Mac Dog, which is a combination of pulled pork and mac and cheese on a hotdog, is one of those creations that kind of reminds me of the food inventions featured in some of the more famous country fairs in the United States.

With the creation of the Royal Food Court, the fair is certainly looking for new and interesting innovations to tantalize our tastebuds.

Let’s hope we see even more such innovations in the years to come.

In the meantime, don’t forget to visit the french fry vendor just outside the east side main doors at the Westoba Place arena.

Get ’em while they’re hot.

» mgoerzen@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @MattGoerzen