Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Press Release May 19, 2017 BRANDON, MB – The Manitoba Summer Fair kicks off June 7 - 11 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon with Canada’s highest selling country band in history, the Road Hammers added to the Saturday night entertainment line-up. The Road Hammers comprised of Jason McCoy, Clayton Bellamy, and Chris Byrne, took home a Juno in 2015 for Country album of the year and their single “Mud” is certified gold. The Manitoba Summer Fair will be the first live performance of their new album “The Squeeze” launched on May 12 of this year. “Gate admission is only $8 if you buy in advance and $12 at the gate. Said Ron Kristjansson, General Manager at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “With this caliber of musical entertainment along with the rest of the attractions, we want all those people that have said “I used to go to the fair but haven’t been in years” to come back and see what they have been missing.” Kristjansson reported Friday night’s feature music entertainment would be the iconic 80’s rock band, Honeymoon Suite on the outdoor Beer Garden stage. Other attractions for this year include the RCMP Musical Ride (Wednesday & Thursday), Heavy & Light Horse Show, Canine Stars, Flying Fools High Diving, Comic Juggler – Craig Douglas, The Cutest Show on Earth, Doodles the Clown and the People of the Plains Exhibit (Thursday – Sunday). One-day only events include Chrome in the Trees, Demo Derby and the youth cattle show on Sunday afternoon. The annual Cando Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, June 11 from 9 AM – 11 AM. Pay $5 ($3; 5yrs and under) for breakfast and stay the day at the fair free. Donations of non-perishable food items for Samaritan House are appreciated. About the Manitoba Summer Fair The Manitoba Summer Fair held every year in June at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba recorded close to 100,000 visits in 2016. Featuring midway rides, sideshow entertainment, horse show and more, this family friendly event has been bringing community together and entertaining audiences for 135 years. Follow the Provincial Exhibition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Westman Dreams for Kids Children's Country Fair will held this year on Sunday June the 4th at Kirkcaldy Heights School. There are lots of exciting events going on once again this year including: rides, bouncy castles, face painting, live entertainment, fire engines, and lots of educational attractions. This year's event also has a pile of new adventures planned, and everyone in encouraged to bring down their families to share in the fun. The event is free to attend. Organizers are also looking for extra volunteers to help with the event, and all interested parties can contact the office at 729-8898.

Story by Crystal Jensen Dean Brody, is a multiple JUNO award and CCMA (Canadian Country Music Award) winner, with the most recent accolade being his 2016 JUNO win for Country Album of the year- Gypsy Road. Dean Brody entertained fans at the Keystone Centre with his "Beautiful Freakshow" Tour with special guests Madeline Merlo and the James Barker Band. Madeline Merlo was the 2015 CCMA(Canadian Country Music Award) winner for Rising Star of the Year and nominated in 2016 Female Artist of the Year. She truly is a Canadian gem singing her hits "Honey Jack", "Alive", "Whatcha Wanna Do About It", "War Paint" and "Over and Over". The James Barker Band, a Canadian country group wowed the crowd with their hits "Just Sayin" and "Chills". Dean Brody played many fan favourite hits from his six albums including "Bush Party", "Upside down", "People Know You By Your First Name", "Roll That Barrel Out", "Undone", "Love Would Be Enough", "Bounty", "Little Yellow Blanket", "Brothers", "Time", "Mountain Man", "Canadian Girls", "Friday", "Bring Down the House", and of course title track "Beautiful Freakshow"! The list of Dean Brody's chart topping hits are countless. My favourite part of the show was the chainsaw solo during Love Would Be Enough. It doesn't get more country than that. If you missed the show, you can see both Madeline Merlo and the James Barker Band at Dauphin's Countryfest 2017. Get your tickets before they are gone. .

May 11, 2017 BRANDON, MB – The 135th Manitoba Summer Fair kicks off June 7 - 11 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon combining a classic Canadian fair experience with one of a kind midway rides, sideshow entertainment and a nod to Canada’s 150. The Provincial Exhibition is celebrating the nation’s milestone with 1500 exclusive Canada 150 tickets for this year’s fair. With this ticket, visitors will pay only $1.50 gate admission on Wednesday, June 7 or Thursday, June 8. “We’re not sure when the last time the fair gate admission was $1.50 but it’s been a while.” Said Kathy Cleaver, President of the Provincial Exhibition. “We have partnered with our friends at Star FM and QCountry to give these tickets away so listen for your chance to pick one up and come and enjoy the celebration.” A highlight for General Manager, Ron Kristjansson is the addition of the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony on Wednesday, June 7 and the RCMP Musical Ride on June 7 & 8. “In recognition of Canada 150 and the 135 year mark for the City of Brandon and The Provincial Exhibition, we are proud to have two pieces of true Canadiana, the RCMP Musical Ride and the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony.” Said Kristjansson. “We are very honoured to have 150 new citizens joining us to take their oath; it’s a very moving experience to be part of such a life changing event for these people.” This year’s fair also includes a variety of daily family entertainment. “We are very excited for our side show entertainment this year. “ Said Matt Bolley, Co-Chair of the Summer Fair planning committee. “The Canine Stars and Mini Chuckwagon racers are back and the breathtaking feats of the Milord High Dive act are exactly the kind of unmatchable exhibition entertainment you would expect.” The organizers have been working hard to grow the agriculture aspects of this year’s event with an increased horse show and youth cattle show. “Our goal is to revive the classic country fair experience by bringing back some of the traditional events with a modern twist.” Said Ellen Murray, Co-Chair of the Summer Fair planning committee. “This year’s horse show features a fun games evening on Friday and horses of all sizes and disciplines throughout the weekend including Draft, English, Western, Jumping and Hackney; Sunday’s cattle show is focused on the next generation of farmers and ranchers.” Other features of the fair include a traditional Towne Square display, People of the Plains exhibit (Thursday – Saturday) and one-day only features such as the 4-H Manitoba Food Challenge and Canadian Armed Forces display on Saturday, June 10. The fair wraps up on Sunday, June 11 with the Cando pancake breakfast from 9 – 11 AM followed by a Classic Car & Bike Show, and Demo Derby included a Little Tykes version. Discount advance tickets are on sale now. Visit www.manitobasummerfair.com for more details and follow the Provincial Exhibition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

BRANDON, MB – Children love trucks. Big ones, small ones, loud ones, strong ones; Brandon’s first Touch-A-Truck fundraising event is coming to the Keystone Centre grounds on May 27, 2017. The event concept is simple. A wide array of trucks, cars and equipment will be on display for children to interact with in a safe, monitored area. “We are so excited to be able to bring this event to Brandon & Westman! Kids love to explore their surroundings and many of these vehicles are too dangerous to approach on a job site to do so. This fundraising event gives kids the opportunity to see an excavator, a tractor or fire truck up close without the risk of danger to themselves. They can see how massive these pieces of equipment are and learn what they do! We are so fortunate to have the support from the community who to help make this event a success,” said Event Chair, Kerri Malazdrewicz. The event is being hosted as a fundraiser for the two Kokum’s Early Education Enrichment (KEEP) daycares in Brandon. Tickets will be available on-site during the event that runs from 10AM to 3PM, cost is $5. There are door prize draws free to attendees, with a chance to win tickets to the Monsters & Mayhem show at the Keystone Centre in July. Also available will be a 50/50 draw, silent auction, BBQ, food trucks, face painting, and more! For more information visit the Touch-A-Truck Brandon Facebook page.