BRANDON - The Keystone Centre will be abuzz with activities at the end of March with the official return of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair for the first time in three years.
It is exciting to announce the return of the Winter Fair after two years of trials, tribulations and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba president Kathy Cleaver. The Winter Fair will be taking place from March 28 through April 2.
"It’s ironic because we were the first big event to cancel in 2020 … it was just a few days before the fair, and then we cancelled it. And now, we’re going to be the first big event to open," Cleaver said. "We believe that our community is ready to come together to celebrate spring and our Winter Fair. Come out and enjoy the Woof Jocks, Doodles the Clown, Horse Jumping and Junior Cattle shows, to name a few of the attractions … not to mention one of my favourites, the thrilling sound of the draft horses thundering down the ramp and into the arena. The fair continues to create memories for families that last generations."
It will be a huge step returning to the arena, Cleaver said, and the Winter Fair is counting on volunteers to help make the show a success. She estimates that around 100 volunteers help bring the event together each year.
The Winter Fair is often a reunion between friends, she added, especially when it comes to the horse show. These feelings of camaraderie will only be elevated after being separated for two long years during the pandemic.
"We have a group from across the provinces, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba — they bring a high level of horses so it’s nice to see the people, the coaches, the expertise that comes with it," Cleaver said. "You meet old friends after 10 years, and we all come together and do our thing — it is a reunion."
For now, organizers are working with the philosophy that the Winter Fair will be business as usual. She noted the show will be following whatever rules and recommendations are in place and provided by Manitoba public health.
Provincial Exhibition vice-president Clint Swain said organizers have been planning for the Winter Fair in different stages, wrapping in contingencies for the event based on what provincial public health measures are in place. The latest announcement from the province announcing the end of public health measures by March 15 is allowing them to plan a full event with very few COVID-19 restrictions in place.
"Public health is number one on our mind, so we expect people to feel comfortable at our event, and we’re taking every step possible to make sure that that’s doable," Swain said.
He noted the show is also adapting to the lack of access to the UTC Hall and Manitoba Room due to the vaccination site and COVID-19 testing room.
"We’re kind of focusing on moving our Trade Fair into the MNP hall upstairs," Swain said. "We’ve done a bunch of shuffling around, but people can expect the same stuff that they’ve come to expect over the past number of years."
Swain noted as an executive, they have opted to move the Sunrise Breakfast on March 28 to the Dome Building. The site was chosen to help showcase the building and introduce the historic structure to those who may not have the opportunity to visit before or explore inside.
"That’s our home base, so we’re very proud to show that building off," Swain said.
The Winter Fair is a pivotal event for the Provincial Ex, Swain said, describing it as the organization’s "bread and butter event every year."
The Provincial Ex has been able to survive the pandemic through the help and support of the community to keep the lights on in the Dome Building and staff employed, Swain said. They are excited for the Winter Fair and the role it will play in helping get the organization get back on its feet.
Organizers have put countless hours into planning to ensure the Winter Fair remains a premier event and is proud of the work of staff and directors.
When it comes to the success of the event, organizers are hoping to see as many community members as possible attend — The main goal has been to hit 75 per cent capacity.
"We have nothing really to gauge it on. We went from hosting an event to nothing over the last two years," Swain said.
He added is important to bring the Winter Fair back to the community because of the economic impacts it can have across Westman. The Winter Fair has a significant impact on the local economy through the tourism and hospitality numbers it brings into the city.
"We are very excited to be in the planning stages. We’re six weeks away, and all indications look like it’s going to be a go for us," Swain said. "To say we are excited is an understatement."
For more information on the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair or to purchase tickets for the event, visit provincialexhibition.com.
