Departing Montreal on November 19, the CPKC Holiday Train embarks on it’s annual trip across Canada. Now in its 27th season, The Holiday Train has raised more than $26 million and collected 5.4 million pounds of food in the process. While Brandon is not listed as a stop in 2025, the train is scheduled to make  stops in the following neighboring communities. Portage la Prairie – Friday, Dec 5, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM 309 1st Street NW Neepawa – Friday, Dec 5, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Railway Street between Mountain Ave & Currie Ave Minnedosa – Friday, Dec 5, 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM 30 2nd Avenue NW Shoal Lake – Friday, Dec 5, around 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM North Railway Avenue In addition to an amazing display of lights the CP Holiday Train will also have live on board performers from Jade Eagleson and Teigen Gayse. CPKC does ask those coming to visit the train to consider bring a donation of a non-perishable food item or cash to help area food banks. All the donated items and funds stay in the community.

Brandon’s Matt Cory was able to secure some hardware as they won best Rock Band of the Year at the 2025 Manitoba Loud Music Awards recently jeld in Winnipeg Cory was quoted on Facebook “ Huge love and gratitude to everyone who’s come to the shows, voted, streamed the songs and supported us along the way. This means more than words can say……Thank you for believing in us.”

Vincent Massey High School is thrilled to announce its fall musical production of Once Upon A One More Time, a dazzling jukebox musical that reimagines classic fairy tales through the iconic hits of Britney Spears performed at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium. Featuring fan favorites such as Oops!... I Did It Again, Crazy, Toxic, Stronger, Circus, and more, the show brings together beloved characters including Cinderella (Maia Placatka), her Stepmother (Autumn Reimer), the Stepsisters (Emery Hillman and Lydia Purdy), Snow White (Jordyn Gray), the Original Fairy Godmother (Dannah Pentney), Prince Charming (Cash Laluk), Clumsy (Grady Sanko), and an ensemble of thirty other familiar faces. This witty and empowering musical follows Cinderella as she begins to question her story within the confines of the Narrator’s (Reid Tacan) carefully crafted world. With the help of her fellow fairy tale characters, she dares to rewrite her destiny and take control of her own happily ever after. Directed by Nancy Pitcairn, the production team welcomes new choreographer Katey Rogowsky and vocal director Mitchell Wedgewood. Behind the curtain, a dedicated group of 15 Vincent Massey staff and nearly 100 student crew members are bringing the magic to life with sets, costumes, lighting, and technical design. Performance Dates: • Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. • Friday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. • Saturday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: • $25 – Adults • $20 – Students & Seniors • $15 – Children under 12 Tickets are available online at www.wmca.ca or by calling the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium Box Office at 204-728-9510.

Brandon is set to get a little spookier this October as the annual Halloween Hop returns, offering families and thrill-seekers a chance to enjoy frightful fun while supporting local charities. Running from October 14 to 31, the Halloween Hop invites residents to visit three participating “spooky stops” — Alternative Choice Garden, Green Spot, and Livingstone Outdoor. Each location has prepared festive displays and seasonal attractions, with Livingstone Outdoor hosting its popular Haunted House at 1610 Byng Avenue. The haunted house, which has become a Halloween staple in the city, promises a mix of eerie rooms, special effects, and jump scares. For younger visitors or those preferring a gentler experience, a special “no scare” hour will run nightly from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 12 and up and $7 for children under 12, with proceeds going to support organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman and Habitat for Humanity Manitoba – Brandon Chapter. Participants can also pick up a Halloween Hop passport at any of the three locations. Collecting stamps from all stops earns an entry into the Grand Prize Draw, with gift cards from each business up for grabs. The event not only provides Halloween entertainment but also strengthens community ties by bringing people together in support of local causes. With haunted houses, family-friendly fun, and prizes on the line, the Halloween Hop is shaping up to be one of Brandon’s must-visit events of the season.

On September 20th, the Brandon Disc Golf Club (BDGC) hosted the grand opening of Assiniboine Ridge Disc Golf Course at Canada Games Park. Over 30 players from across Manitoba competed on the newly installed 9-hole course, marking a milestone for recreational sport in Brandon. The event welcomed players, families, and community members with a free BBQ, games, and chances to try disc golf firsthand. Spectators enjoyed tournament action and learned more about the accessibility and appeal of the sport. The course was made possible through generous community support, led by Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU), whose major financial contribution laid the groundwork for the course’s completion. Representatives from ACU attended the opening, underscoring their commitment to investing in inclusive, community-driven recreation. ACU Board Member Jane Brown reflected on how support for this project represents the credit union principles in action. “Supporting organizations like the Brandon Disc Golf Club and the installation of the Assiniboine Ridge Disc Golf Course, invests in the health of our community; it provides equitable access to recreation and offers an opportunity for people to connect and build friendships,” said Brown.     Westman Ultimate Disc League (WUDL) also contributed significantly, joining a notable group of local organizations, businesses, and individuals who helped fund the project. The City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services played an instrumental role from start to finish. Their enthusiasm, hands-on support, and collaboration were key to the successful installation of the course. “This course is the result of community coming together,” said Sharon Enns, President of the Brandon Disc Golf Club. “We are so grateful to our supporters for making this dream a reality and for helping create a space that’s already bringing people together.” The Assiniboine Ridge Disc Golf Course is free to play and open to all, offering an easy way for families and individuals to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. “The response has been incredible. Every week, more people are out playing, and it’s clear the sport is gaining momentum in Brandon,” Enns said. BDGC looks forward to hosting future tournaments and events, and encourages newcomers to give the sport a try. For more information, visit brandondgc.ca or contact info@brandondgc.ca.