With Halloween just a few days away, house decorations are out in full force in Brandon. A trick-or-treater's guide to the best streets and displays in the city, captured by photographer Liam Pattison.

Th Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba's Fall Fest and Market is being held this weekend at the Dome Building on the grounds of the Keystone Centre . Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12pm-4pm There are food trucks (4), a pumpkin patch, over 20 local vendors, and hayrides. All for only a $2 admission. Covid 19 safety measures and protocols are in effect.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Pacific (CP) will donate to food banks in communities along its network and host a virtual concert in lieu of its regular Holiday Train program. The modified program will draw attention to food security issues, while ensuring donations go to all food banks that would ordinarily receive them, including those that typically host a Holiday Train event in alternating years. “COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has only increased the need at local food banks and food shelves,” said CP President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel. “It is our honor to continue to donate to communities across our network this year, even if the train itself will not run. The spirit of the Holiday Train program and the Christmas spirit will carry on this year through our virtual concert. We will have the Holiday Train rolling again spreading Christmas cheer as soon as it’s safe to do so!” CP launched the Holiday Train in 1999, and every year since it has traveled across Canada and the northern U.S. raising money, collecting food and drawing attention to the important work of local food banks. In its first 21 years, the train has raised $17.8 million and collected 4.8 million pounds of food for local food banks in communities along CP’s network. “We are very excited that CP has chosen a safe way to keep the spirit of the CP Holiday Train rolling in support of local food banks like ours in these challenging times,” said Calgary Food Bank President and CEO James McAra. “The need for food bank services has risen substantially over the course of this year and heading into the high-demand winter months. We hope CP’s concert will prompt the train’s supporters to give as generously as they’re able.” Live music has always been part of the CP Holiday Train tradition. To maintain that tradition, CP will produce a benefit concert, with details to be announced when they’re available. “We support CP’s decision to hold a virtual concert instead of hosting events that encourage local gathering, though we’ll miss the train’s bright lights and in-person shows,” said Kristine Martin, President of East Side Neighborhood Services, a Minneapolis-based Holiday Train beneficiary food bank. “CP’s generous donations to East Side Neighborhood Services over the years have helped us provide nutritious food to people who have difficulty accessing traditional food shelves or grocery stores. This year, being able to continue providing those services has been even more important. We’re thankful to CP for their continued support and donations again this year.” CP intends to resume operating the annual train tour in 2021. (CP News Release)

Established in 2018, King Korn Maze is a family-owned, 13-acre corn maze in Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB. In addition to offering a number (4) of corn mazes, they added a new sunflower path in 2020 as well. Other attractions on the property for the kiddos include a bale pyramid, human hamster ball, mini-golf, and a tire playground. The corn maze opens annually every August and typically runs into October, weather permitting. Cost is only $5 per person, 3 & under free. September & October hours: Open Friday evenings, Saturday & Sunday. Friday evenings:  6:00pm-8:00pm Saturday & Sunday:  11:00am-8:00pm **SEPTEMBER HOURS ONLY BEGIN ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6th. Location: 1 mile south of Notre Dame de Lourdes on Hwy 244 & 1/4 mile west of GDT Transport on Rd 35N For additional information, please visit their Facebook page or their website. On your visit to the maze, if you're looking for an outstanding burger/meal then stop by Big Al's Burgers in Notre Dame de Lourdes. The burgers are both tasty and huge.

There has been such a great response from our last two mini-Manitoba road trip articles, we’ve decided to keep going. For this trip, pack the car with a few snacks and head south on the #10 highway out of Brandon. The highway is in excellent driving condition and before you know it you’ll be crossing the Souris River and enjoying the view of the valley. First stop is Boissevain. It’s located right on the highway.  Once you slow down for the school zone you’ll see signs directing you to turn left to start the Art Drive. There are numerous murals around town and they are bright and beautiful. You can’t miss them. Clearly a progressive town, Snap Chat picked up a filter for Choy’s Restaurant right away. Just down the street from Choy’s and across from the Community Theatre is a beautiful little park aptly named “Arts Park.” Definitely walk through and enjoy the eclectic displays! It’s a gem. If you’re ready for a coffee, do stop in at Sawmill Tea and Coffee company. Ask about their daily flavour of cheesecake, or pick up a bowl of their homemade soup. Once you’re back on #10 and heading south, you’ll come to a junction where you can choose to head east to Killarney or west for Deloraine. I picked west for Deloraine! Farm families are hard at work here in the harvest season. The golden fields of the area are as pretty as a picture.  The town of Deloraine isn’t far and the drive will go quickly but, I’m going to suggest a 3km detour off the highway at Turtlehead Creek Dam before you even get there. (It’s clearly marked by highway signs.) As you head towards the dam and the golf course you’ll see an intriguing sign that says “bank vault.”  This signals a gravel detour to an old field stone bank vault. One of only 2 left in western Canada, it’s an intriguing piece of history.  You see, Deloraine wasn’t always where it is today. In fact, it was first established in 1882 about 10km east of town. But in 1886 the Canadian Pacific Railway settled their line north and west, so nearly all the buildings were transferred over to the new site. Unfortunately the bank vault could not be moved, so it was left behind on what is now private property. One you get to Deloraine you can stretch your legs and walk about in the Flags of the World Park. It’s also next to their tourist booth. Over on Broadway Street I spied the post office building. It reminded me of the clock tower building in the movie Back to the Future. Actually, with all the great heritage buildings and wide open green spaces, Deloraine would be a great place to make a feature film. If you do plan to take a Manitoba road trip soon, take your mask and your hand sanitizer with you. Spread only kindness.