Enjoy natural trails through tall pines and beautiful trails. Whether for a romantic excursion or to make family memories, sleigh rides offer a unique way to enjoy the Winter Wonderland that is Manitoba. Whirling Winds Stables, located just between Wawanesa and Shilo, is beginning their third year offering sleigh rides to the public and they have been driving this team of horses for themselves for about 7 years. Ride times are usually between 10am - 3pm however special requests can me made for a romantic evening ride for couples. Large groups are not available at night. There is no minimum amount of people for the sleigh to run. The maximum amount of people is between 12 - 16 people depending on how many kids and adults are attending. A number of different packages are available, with prices starting as low as $30 per person (or $100.00 for 5 riders). You can also customize any package to fit your needs. Whirling Winds Stables is the perfect winter outing for the whole group, office party, birthday party, girls night out and more. To book a sleigh ride, or for current available dates, please visit their Facebook page here.

After a two year organizers announced that “Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa” will return in 2022 on July 29th to July 31st. Bands scheduled to perform on the main stage include Jack Russell’s Great White, Nazareth, Big Wreck, Our Lady Peace, Honeymoon Suite, Loverboy & more. The Co-op Hilltop Stage will feature their very own headliners: Helix, Toque, & Harlequin. The full lineup can be viewed here.  All ticket holders, festival volunteers, vendors, etc. will require proof of vaccination upon entering the site, as this will be a fully vaccinated event. Tickets go on sale Monday November 8th at 10AM.

The AGSM is proud to announce a new show in the Community Gallery, featuring a selection of paintings by Brandon resident Diarmuid “Derry” Decter, titled Lost and Otherwise Found. The exhibition begins on Thursday, October 28, and will run through December, with a public reception on December 2, at 7 PM. After a decades-long hiatus from artmaking, Decter spent the last five years in a close mentorship with master painter and Brandonite Jan Brancewicz, developing a unique style and a technique. The 57 artworks on display are a mere sampling of Decter’s prolific practice. Over a months-long curatorial process, AGSM curator Lucie Lederhendler and the artist built an exhibition that will take the viewer on a tour of artistic approaches, from saturated portraits to frantic landscapes, soft shading and sharp horizon lines. The exhibition explores themes of displacement, relations, and belonging with an approach to making that is informed as much by chaos as it is scholarship. “Derry’s work is remarkable for being both deeply grounded in academic, art historical knowledge and technique, and at the same time being just accidental, or playful,” says Lederhendler. “Each piece has its very own personality, but when you see them all together, this enormous number of paintings starts to tell a bigger story.” The AGSM Community Gallery is supported by the City of Brandon, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. (submitted)

Dauphin’s Countryfest is pleased to release the full-line up of artists slated to perform at Canada’s longest running country music festival, taking place July 1 – 3, 2022. General Manager Rob Waloschuk is thrilled to announce an all-Canadian lineup for the return to the hill. “Our fans love their country, and we’ve booked the best Canadian talent to welcome them back to Dauphin’s Countryfest,” said Waloschuk, “and their live shows are always spectacular.” Paul Brandt, Johnny Reid, Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, Terri Clark, Gord Bamford, The Reklaws, Hunter Brothers, Washboard Union, Chad Brownlee, Jess Moskaluke, The Road Hammers, Michelle Wright, Jade Eagleson, Madeline Merlo, Doc Walker, Tyler Joe Miller, Aaron Pritchett, JoJo Mason and Don Amero are booked to perform throughout the weekend. “These artists are some of the most requested by Countryfest-goers.” said Waloschuk. Loyal patrons who rolled over their tickets with Countryfest for the last couple of years will also enjoy an exclusive Thursday Kick-Off Party with Corb Lund and Charlie Major. “Dauphin’s Countryfest has always been about providing a remarkable experience for our patrons,” said President Ann Ransom, “We want our fans to feel safe and have the best time, so we’ve limited our festival capacity to 50% for 2022.” Full guidelines and policies can be found on the website. LIMITED TICKETS & CAMPING REMAINING A limited number of weekend passes, VIPs, camping and seats are available, and can be purchased online at www.countryfest.ca or by calling 1-800-361-7300. Pre-sale for members only is October 25 to November 5. Tickets go on sale to the public November 15 at 9am (Countryfest Release)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman Haunted house returns this year at a new location, 1307 18th St N (next door to Kelleher Ford). The haunted house will have everything from classic horrors to modern to keep one guessing what’s next. All funds raised from this fundraising event stay in our community to benefit local child and youth programs. You must be fully vaccinated to attend and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Dates: October 21-23, October 28-30 Times: Thursday 6pm-10pm, Friday & Saturday: 6pm-11pm *no scare is from 6-7 Admission: 12+: $8, under 12: $5