The Westman Gaming Expo kicked off earlier today inside the Keystone Centre’s MB Room AND UCT Pavilion. The event is Westman’s biggest hobby Expo and takes place Saturday & Sunday from 10am-8pm. Check out the fantastic vendors, events and exhibitors while enjoying demonstrations with Knights and Vikings.  

The Westman Gaming Expo will be taking place weekend (March 2&3) in the Manitoba Room at the Keystone Centre. The weekend will be filled with thrilling battles, strategic showdowns, and non-stop gaming action including games like Warhammer: 40,000, Super Mario Smash Bros., Magic: The Gathering and more! There will also be many vendors onsite. A new addition to the event this year is a sports card and memorabilia section hosted by CK Sports Cards. Over 60+ tables of sports cards and memorabilia.

City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services would like to inform the public that the public skating oval located west of McGregor Avenue is closed for the season due to deteriorating ice conditions and recent warmer temperatures. “Oval Closed” signs and barricades have been placed at the oval and all associated flood lighting will be turned off. The Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Waterfall of Lights display has also been turned off. While we understand that this may be disappointing news for many, the safety of our community members is our top priority. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next season when the conditions are suitable for outdoor skating. The City of Brandon extends its gratitude to all users of its outdoor recreational facilities. Your respect and care for these spaces have ensured they remain in excellent condition for everyone to enjoy.

The 26th annual Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s Winterfest was held last weekend in Brandon and bdnmb.ca had staff photographer Scramble Studio on-hand to capture the following images from the event. The festival encompasses activities and events for all age groups including a square dance competition, talent show, wacipi, basketball, volleyball, hockey and moccasin games.

The Manitoba government is offering free park entry for the entire month of February to encourage Manitobans and visitors to explore the many winter activities available in provincial parks, Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today. “February is a great time to enjoy Manitoba’s provincial parks,” said Schmidt. “We know affordability is top of mind for many families, so I am pleased to announce we are waiving the entry fee to all provincial parks for the month of February. We encourage all Manitobans to get outdoors and enjoy everything our beautiful provincial parks have to offer.” Vehicle permits are not required in any provincial park in February but Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles using designated trails. Entrance fees still apply in national parks. Manitoba’s provincial parks have many different trail systems scattered around the province with groomed trails for a variety of activities including cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing and hiking. Paint Lake, Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain provincial parks also offer outdoor skating areas, hockey rinks and toboggan hills. Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park has ice-fishing shelters on Lake Winnipeg that are free to use. People looking for downhill skiing and snowboarding experiences can visit the Asessippi Ski Resort in Asessippi Provincial Park or the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Park interpreters in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks are offering numerous guided programs that enrich visitor experiences and promote stewardship of Manitoba’s park resources, noted the minister. Highlights for the month of February include wolf howl hikes, snowshoe treks, ski clinics, quinzhee building and ice fishing. Event details and registration information can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks. Teachers can also book free guided field trips to Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks along with virtual programs to bring park interpreters into classrooms. Manitobans are encouraged to check trail conditions before visiting parks. Trail information and maps can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks. Trail users are encouraged to help keep parks clean and beautiful by only using trails for designated activities, keeping dogs on leashes and practising the principles of Leave No Trace by removing everything that is brought in. For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/recreation-and-activities/trails/index.html#trailregulations. Annual park vehicle permits for 2024-25 will be available for purchase beginning on March 1. To buy a permit, visit www.manitobaelicensing.ca. Manitoba Parks has also started recruitment of seasonal staff for the upcoming summer.  Those looking for summer employment and career opportunities in provincial parks should visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks frequently as more jobs are posted in the coming weeks. For more information on winter activities in provincial parks, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks and follow Manitoba Parks on Facebook and X.