Dust off your cowboy boots and mark your calendars—rodeo season is coming to town. The Waywayseecappo Gas Bar Rodeo is set to return July 23–26, 2026, with a full weekend of adrenaline-fueled action, live country music, beer gardens, food trucks, and family-friendly fun. The event has grown into a highly anticipated summer tradition for both locals and visitors. The rodeo features a large number of events like bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, and barrel racing.  A beer garden will be open throughout the weekend, and attendees can expect great food, music, and community atmosphere throughout the  four-day celebration. Fans will be treated to live performances by JJ Voss and the Damn Good Band playing live both Friday & Saturday night!   Families are welcome, and the event is being held in conjunction with the Waywayseecappo Gas Bar’s annual Customer Appreciation Days. The rodeo grounds are located just off Highway 10 north of Brandon, making it easily accessible for day-trippers and rodeo fans across Westman and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned rodeo enthusiast or looking for a unique summer outing, the Waywayseecappo Gas Bar Rodeo promises an unforgettable weekend of western hospitality, entertainment, and community spirit. For more updates, follow the Waywayseecappo Gas Bar on social media.

Organizers of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival have announced the cancellation of the 2026 festival following the devastating flooding that has impacted Dauphin and surrounding Parkland communities. The festival, which was scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 2 at Selo Ukraina, made the difficult decision after assessing the ongoing effects of the disaster and the community's ability to safely host one of Manitoba's largest cultural celebrations. In a statement, the Festival's Board of Directors cited the unprecedented flooding, the continued local State of Emergency, and significant damage to critical infrastructure—including the Dauphin Regional Health Centre—as key factors behind the cancellation. Organizers said the health and safety of attendees, volunteers, performers, vendors, and local residents remained their highest priority. The cancellation marks a disappointing setback for thousands of visitors who travel to Dauphin each summer to celebrate Ukrainian culture through music, dance, food, art, and heritage. The annual festival has long been recognized as one of Canada's premier Ukrainian cultural events, attracting guests from across Manitoba and beyond. Festival organizers acknowledged the tremendous effort invested by performers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and community partners in preparing for this year's event. They also expressed gratitude for the continued support shown by the Ukrainian community during what they described as extraordinarily challenging circumstances. Those who purchased tickets for the 2026 festival will have the option of requesting a refund or carrying their tickets forward for the 2027 event. While the cancellation is a significant disappointment, organizers say their focus now is on supporting the Dauphin community's recovery and ensuring the festival can return stronger than ever next year. Plans are already underway for the 2027 edition of Canada's National Ukrainian Festival.

Tonight's Incredibly Hip concert has been relocated from the Riverbank to the outdoor stage at the Keystone Centre. Schedule:  6:30 PM – Simple Jack (Hamiota, MB)  7:00 PM – The Incredibly Hip Bring your lawn chairs, family, and friends and enjoy an evening of great Canadian music. The concert remains completely FREE and everyone is welcome! FREE Admission – No Tickets Required!

Outlaws of Motorsports and the Keystone Centre regret to announce the postponement of its upcoming Brandon, Manitoba Monsters and Mayhem show event due to the current State of Emergency affecting Manitoba and many surrounding communities. The devastating flooding across the province has had a significant impact on countless families, businesses, and communities. Many of our fans travel from outside the Brandon area to attend our events, and this disaster has made travel unsafe or impossible for many. The flooding has also directly affected members of the Outlaws of Motorsports team. While we were looking forward to bringing an unforgettable show to Brandon, the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, staff, volunteers, and communities must come first. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone across Manitoba who are facing the challenges brought on by these devastating floods. We know many families are dealing with evacuations, damaged homes, and uncertain days ahead. At this time, our focus is on supporting our communities, and we look forward to returning to Brandon next year with an even bigger and better event." All ticket holders will receive a full refund through the Keystone Centre Box Office. Anyone with questions regarding their refund is encouraged to contact the Keystone Centre Box Office directly. We sincerely thank our fans, sponsors, volunteers, partners, and the Brandon community for their understanding and continued support during this difficult time. We look forward to seeing everyone again real soon. Please stay safe everyone and help your neighbours if you are able!

Brandon residents are in for a tasty treat as McCain Foods will be hosting their drive-thru event, Free Fry Day in Brandon on Thursday, July 16. This is a drive-thru event, so swing by, grab your fries, and consider making a donation to RMHC Manitoba to make a real difference in a family’s life. Help support families with sick or injured children staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba. Brandon — Keystone Centre (1175 18th St. Unit 1), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Portage la Prairie — Portage Collegiate Institute parking lot (65 3 St. SW), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carman — 87 Main St. A, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Glenboro — Glenboro Fire Hall (408 S Railway Ave.), 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Carberry — CP Park 4th Avenue, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Whether you like them plain, smothered in gravy, or topped with cheese curds, Free Fry Day in Brandon promises to be a satisfying way to kick off the weekend.