City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is excited to announce the opening of their outdoor water facilities on the following dates: Spray Parks & Paddle Pools will open Thursday, June 8, 2023* Kinsmen Pool has a tentative opening date of Thursday, June 15, 2023** Spray Parks and Paddle Pools All Spray Parks will be open from June 8 to September 2, 2023. Stanley, Kin Park, and Valleyview Spray Parks will be unsupervised this season Both Rideau and Westridge Spray Parks and Paddle Pools will be supervised If assistance is required at an unsupervised park, signage will be in place indicating contact information. All five spray parks and paddle pools are FREE to use on a first-come, first-served basis.  Kinsmen Pool Kinsmen Pool will be open from June 15 to September 2, 2023.  All children under the age of 7 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or guardian 13 years or older. Kinsmen Pool Rates ******CASH ONLY****** Infant       Under 2 yrs. Child 2-12 yrs. Youth/Senior 13-17 yrs. & 55+ Adult    18 – 54 yrs. Family 2 adults & up to 5 children  FREE $4 $5 $6 $14 The City of Brandon’s Parks & Recreation Services Department welcomes members of the public to take advantage of these facilities throughout the summer months. *Locations and hours of operation for Brandon’s outdoor pools and spray parks can be found on the City of Brandon website at brandon.ca/summer-recreation/spray-parks-paddle-pools.  **Stay tuned to brandon.ca or follow the City of Brandon’s Parks & Recreation Services Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates.

The annual Westman Dreams For Kids Children’s Country Fair took place earlier today at the Riverbank Discovery Centre and Scramble Studio was onsite to capture the following images. This year's event featured inflatable bouncers, petting zoo, games, face decorating, crafts, hayrides, BPS, Brandon Fire, Shriners, performances and more.

The City of Brandon in partnership with the Manitoba Urban Forest Council is inviting all members of the public to join us in celebrating Arbor Day on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is to take place at the Keystone Centre around the treed area, south of the main 13th Street entrance. Attendees will learn more about arboriculture, trees, and Brandon’s urban forest. The following will take place: Free tree seedlings, while supplies last Free wood chips, while supplies last Draws for two trees Educational booths and arboriculture equipment displays Children's activities, including face painting Tree planting demonstrations Tree climbing demonstrations Self-directed and guided tree tours Free draws will take place at 3 p.m. If the winner(s) are not present, they will be contacted to pick up their prize the following week from the City of Brandon Parks Complex, located at 2020 McGregor Avenue. In addition to these activities, local musicians from Mecca Productions will be performing from 12 Noon to 1 p.m. Food trucks will also be at the event offering food and beverages for purchase. This family-friendly event is open to all residents and will take place rain or shine. “As we prepare to host Brandon’s second in-person Arbor Day, we are excited for the opportunity to showcase the importance of planting and caring for trees,” says Stephen Clark, City of Brandon Forestry and Horticulture Chargehand and local representative from the Manitoba Urban Forest Council. “Arbor Day highlights the benefits of the urban forest canopy in our city and promotes arboriculture best practices.” About Manitoba Urban Forest Council The Manitoba Urban Forest Council is comprised of representatives from various sectors of the urban forest industry including municipalities, the provincial government, the International Society of Arboriculture, educational institutions, and the arboriculture industry. The Manitoba Urban Forest Council aims to protect, maintain and enhance urban forests by promoting arboriculture best practices, safe work, professional development, information-sharing, and networking in Manitoba.

The 42 annual PrairieCon is taking place this weekend in the Lower Curling Club Lounge, the Upper Curling Club Lounge, and the Curling Club Ice Surface inside the Keystone Centre. PrairieCon is a weekend-long gaming convention held in Brandon, MB featuring games, tournaments, workshops, vendors, contests, and prizes. Facebook link. PrairieCon dates: Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 28 Event hours: Friday doors open 12 noon, gaming starts 1pm, facility closes midnight. Saturday doors open 8am, gaming starts 9am, facility closes midnight. Sunday doors open 8am, gaming starts 9am, facility closes at 6pm.

It’s the season for lemonade stands and this summer CancerCare Manitoba Foundation is asking Manitobans to host a stand for a good cause. Lemonade Stands for Hope is the perfect opportunity for kids, teens, and anyone young at heart to create hope and raise important funds for CancerCare Manitoba. Families, friends, businesses, community teams, leagues or groups can all host a lemonade stand! Upon registering, stand holders will receive supplies to host their stand including a free starter kit, online donation page, and tools to help them promote their stand. “My daughters and nephew hold their lemonade stand on our driveway each year and seeing all of our family, friends, and neighbours coming together to support the kids is so special,” said Nikki Phaneuf. “A couple of years ago a young girl we know was diagnosed with Leukemia and the kids wanted to do something to help…so we held a lemonade stand and have been doing it every year since.”  Getting started is easy! Register your stand online at LemonadeForHope.ca Pick up your free starter kit from the Foundation at 825 Sherbrook Street (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Host your Lemonade Stand for Hope anytime over the weekend of July 14-16, or anytime this summer Manitobans are encouraged to rally their community to support their lemonade stand while they raise funds for crucial research, patient care, and support services at CancerCare Manitoba. All funds raised from Lemonade Stands for Hope stay in Manitoba and help cancer patients and their families.