It turns out there won’t be a Santa Parade in Brandon for a second consecutive year. Earlier today, the organizing committee released a statement stating the beloved holiday tradition was officially cancelled for 2021, citing concerns over navigating a safe way to hold the parade. Hundreds of families normally flock to the parade sharing the spirit of the holidays with local charities, merchants and schools.

Brandon Riverbank Inc., in partnership with Made in Manitoba, is excited to announce Fall Fest will be taking place this Saturday. The event, geared for the entire family, will be taking place Saturday, Oct. 2 on the Brandon Riverbank grounds and will consist of the season closing Market at the Riverbank event, which includes a variety of different vendors from across the province, as well as family fun, food trucks and a FREE MOVIE at Fusion Credit Union Stage to close out the day! “We’re so excited to be the venue and co-host of the 2021 Fall Fest at the Riverbank,” said James Montgomery, GM of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “We hope to end a summer of great Riverbank markets with one more fantastic day.” “We've had a great experience hosting the Market at the Riverbank this summer and for our final event we are going out with a bang!  We've brought on special co-hosts, Gold Leaf Events, to help us bring the Brandon community our largest market yet.  We have over 40 Manitoba makers and sellers ready to help you get a jump start on your holiday shopping!  With lots of free giveaways and activities throughout the day, it will be a great event for the whole family.  We encourage you all to come out and support local business this Saturday at the Riverbank Discovery Centre." The event kicks off at 10 am with the Made in Manitoba Market at the Riverbank event (wraps up at 2pm). Food trucks will open at noon, while the movie at Fusion Credit Union Stage gets underway at approximately 7pm. The movie is an American stop-motion animated dark fantasy horror film called Coraline. The film is from the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas and was an Oscar nominee for best animated feature film back in 2010. We please ask that those who attend maintain physical distancing. Hand washing stations will be available on-site.

Westoba Place at the Keystone Centre will play host to The Price is Right LiveTM stage show on February 3, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 11:00 am on September 14 at the Keystone Centre Box Office, and on-line at tickets.keystonecentre.com. Pre-sale begins September 13, at 11:00 am for Keystone Centre e-mail subscribers. The Price Is Right LiveTM is a sellout interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to "Come On Down" and play classic games made famous by the iconic network television show, The Price is RightTM. Contestants can win cash, sought-after appliances, epic vacations and, of course, a brand-new car by playing favorites like PlinkoTM, CliffhangersTM, The Big WheelTM and the fantastic Showcase! Showing to sold-out audiences for more a decade and counting, The Price Is Right LiveTM has given away over 12 million dollars in cash and prizes to lucky audience members all across North America. The Price is RightTM remains network television’s #1 daytime series and the longest-running game show in television history. As a beloved piece of American pop culture, Price and its games are cherished by generations of viewers. This live travelling stage show version offers fans the chance to make dreams come true and relive feelings of nostalgia, while experiencing the same thrilling excitement of winning big, up close, locally and in-person. EVENT: The Price is Right Live! DATE/TIME: February 3, 2022 at 7:00 pm VENUE: Westoba Place at the Keystone Centre TICKETS ON SALE: September 14, 2021 at 11:00 am For more information, follow The Price Is Right LiveTM on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/priceisrightlive), Twitter (https://twitter.com/TPIRLIVE) & Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/priceisrightlive/). *The safety of our guests, cast and crew remains paramount. In addition to any state, local and venue-specific protocols, The Price Is Right LiveTM will have its own COVID-19 protocols in place.* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to US & Canada legal residents, 18+ (Residents of PR & Quebec ineligible to participate as contestants). For complete rules & regulations, including eligibility requirements, skill testing question & free method of entry, visit or call the box office. Sponsored by Good Games Live, Inc. Void where prohibited. Price is Right: ®/© FremantleMedia Netherlands. 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Get the napkins ready!. According to a recent Facebook event page, Brandon's biggest backyard BBQ returns in 2021, as Ribfest will hold a drive thru event at the Keystone Centre. From September 24-26, you can find all of your favourite BBQ staples like finger-lickin’ BBQ ribs, chicken, pulled pork and more.  The list of "ribbers" attending has not yet been released. The Facebook event page can be found here. Ribfest takes place one week following one of Brandon's most highly anticipated events: Food Truck Warz. Food Truck Warz features 26 food trucks, Select Shows Midway, and a beer garden. From BBQ to BeaverTails and from pasta to poutine, the options are plenty. Event information for Food Truck Warz can be found at the following link: www.foodtruckwarz.com

More than 11,250 Manitobans took advantage of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce’s Tourism Rebate Incentive Program, TRIP, adding up to more than 9,300 hotel room nights during the two-week window, as well as more than 2,500 rebates on admission to Manitoba’s STAR attractions. And now, the MCC is excited to announce an additional 18 days of Manitoba adventures, road trips, and staycations will be eligible for rebates, August 26 to September 12, 2021. “To say this recovery program is a success would be a huge understatement, because thanks to Manitobans, TRIP has had an immediate, direct, and significant impact on Manitoba’s tourism industry,” said Chuck Davidson, President & CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “TRIP is a win-win design, with Manitobans out touring our beautiful province and enjoying the sights, while supporting the recovery of our recreational assets. And the best part: there are still more rebates available so we can open it up to even more Manitobans!” The Phase 2 TRIP program window opens this Thursday, August 26 and closes on Sunday, September 12, the day following the Banjo Bowl. Manitoba residents aged 18+ (who have not yet participated in TRIP) can upload proof of purchase receipts for eligible hotel/motel stays as well as for attraction admission fees to www.tripmb.ca, in order to access a $100 hotel rebate, OR a $150 rebate off the price of a specially-designed hotel package, as well as a 50% rebate off the price of general admission at one of 31 Manitoba Star Attractions. “The Tourism Rebate Incentive Program has truly been a stroke of genius and it has saved Summer 2021,” says Joel Waterman, General Manager, Inn at the Forks. “The benefits have been twofold – it has encouraged Manitobans to feel comfortable getting out and rediscovering their province, while also giving hotels and attractions a much-needed boost. Our property created a unique package for TRIP and we saw a huge spike in occupancy — the brightest days we have seen since the pandemic began.” As a result of COVID-19 prevention orders still in place in early July 2021 which retained restrictions to capacity limits in public spaces, MCC opted to delay the launch of TRIP to ensure access to attractions, which still saw some attractions only able to be open to the public for one week of the initial 2-week TRIP window. “The TRIP design is nimble, which means it can be quickly replicated for a second phase, and serve as a model for similar ventures in the future,” says Atul Sabharwal, Founder, SNIPP Interactive, the innovative TSX Venture listed (TSX-V:SPN) technology company MCC contracted to manage the rebate administration. “Participants promptly receive a rebate conveniently by email — in most cases in less than 48 hours — simply by photographing their receipt and uploading it to the website, then completing a brief form. It is straightforward, low cost to administer, and secure. SNIPP is very proud to have been a part of this recovery initiative.” Davidson says that based on uptake during phase 1, the remaining TRIP rebate budget will likely be allocated in full by the time the three-week phase 2 window closes. “We encourage all Manitobans who have not yet participated in TRIP to consider booking a getaway. Support our province’s wonderful tourism professionals by spending directly with them, enjoy a nice break, and close off the summer in a special way. Plus, you can get something back!” To access the list of all participating hotels/motels and STAR Attractions, go to www.tripmb.ca or click here. Phase 2 eligible receipts must be uploaded no later than 11:59 PM CST on Sunday, September 19 in order to qualify for rebate. (MCC News Release)