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.

The Westman Multicultural Festival is happy to announce its return for the first time since 2020. The Festival takes place from February 8 - 10, 2024, at various locations throughout Brandon. This three-day event promises to bring the community together with a celebration of diversity, culture, and unity. GO TO THE PAVILIONS! Featuring six pavilions representing Mauritius, Ukraine, India, El Salvador, Philippines, and Mexico, the Westman Multicultural Festival invites attendees to embark on a global journey without leaving Brandon. The festival kicks off on Thursday, February 8th, at 5:45 pm, with the opening ceremonies at the El Salvadorian Pavilion. Guests can anticipate an evening filled with cultural performances, traditional music, and a warm atmosphere that reflects the spirit of togetherness. Entry to all pavilions is free. One of the festival's highlights is the diverse culinary offerings, allowing attendees to savor authentic dishes from each country. Additionally, select pavilions will serve alcoholic beverages. Don't miss the chance to come "Together Again!" this winter at the Westman Multicultural Festival. The 2024 pavilions will be located at: EL SALVADOR:  North End Community Centre, 1313 Stickney Avenue HOURS: THU (Opening Ceremony) 5:00pm - 11:00pm, FRI 6:00pm - 10:00pm, SAT 2:00pm to 10:30pm INDIA:  Imperial Ballroom, Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre. 3550 Victoria Avenue HOURS: FRI 5:00pm - 11:00pm, SAT 11:00am - 11:00pm MAURITIUS:  Westman Multicultural Centre, 403 13th Street HOURS: FRI 6:00pm - 10:30 pm, SAT 2:00pm - 10:30pm MEXICO:  Brandon Shrine Club, 1110 McTavish Avenue East. HOURS: THU 6:00pm - 10:00 pm, FRI 5:00pm - 10:00pm [after party 11:00pm - 1:00am], SAT 1:00pm - 10:00pm [after party 11:00pm - 1:00am] PHILIPPINES:  Knox United Church, 451 18th Street HOURS: FRI 6:00pm - 10:00pm, SAT 1:00pm - 10:00pm UKRAINE:  Ukrainian National Home, 1133 Stickney Avenue HOURS: THU 5:00pm - 11:00pm, FRI 5:00pm - 11:00pm, SAT 12:00pm - 11:00pm To plan your festival experience and get more information about the pavilions, visit Go To The Pavilions .com | gotothepavilions.com.

Getting ready to walk down the aisle gets a little easier this weekend as the WESTMAN WEDDING EXPO returns to Brandon this Sunday.  The event will feature over 30 businesses from nearly all wedding professions, including photography, entertainment, venues, catering, and much more. The Expo, a wedding planning and organizing tradeshow, has been an annual event since it was first held in 2009.  Years and trends have come and gone, and the Expo continues to help those in search of great deals, wedding inspiration, and connection to the area’s finest wedding professionals. “This show has become the staple wedding event in this part of the province.  People come from all parts of western Manitoba to find everything wedding,” says Bryan Podworny, show organizer and owner of Expressions Entertainment.  “From Swan River to Boissevain, and from Moosomin to Portage le Prairie, it’s awesome to see so many people come wedding shopping!” As owner of Banquets & Bashes, an event planning business in Carberry, Shandar Elmhirst joins the Expo with goals in mind.  “I’m hoping that the brides and grooms that I talk with will go home with a sense of ease about planning their big day.”  It’s more that just about the couples, as she adds, “I’m also looking forward to making new business contacts to help my clients in the planning process.” Elmhirst, along with 30 other vendors, will see the return of planning excitement this weekend as an expected 500 people take in the show. When asked what words would best describe one’s wedding day, the most popular word brought up is ‘fun’.  With that the case, the 2nd annual “Fun Weddings Workshop” is designed to give useful advice to couples about how to ensure enjoyment of the celebration for themselves, as well as their guests. Over the course of 2 hours, couples will learn ways to engage and connect guests to their wedding with fun activities, personalization, and good preparation.  It will be hosted by Podworny, a long time veteran of personalizing weddings. There will also be additional input from Blue Moffat, manager of Asessippi Weddings, Henrik Langer of Henrik Langer Photography, and Shandar Elmhirst of Banquets & Bashes. The Westman Wedding Expo will be held this Sunday January 21, 2024, at the Victoria Inn & Conference Centre at 3550 Victoria Ave in Brandon.  Doors are open to the public from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm.  The Fun Weddings Workshop will run from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, and is included with the admission fee.  Advance admission to the Expo is $12.50 per person through Eventbrite, as well as cash at the door.  Those 17 & under are free.