Update from the City of Brandon regarding the opening of the Kinsmen Pool. The opening date for Kinsmen Pool (located in Rideau Park) will be Friday, July 10th. The opening date had initially been set for today, Parks & Recreation Services crews require just a few extra days to prepare the pool for the season. More information on pool hours of operation and entry fees can be found on the City of Brandon website at https://www.brandon.ca/summer-recreation/spray-parks-paddle-pools.

Canada’s longest running country music festival announced their 2021 festival roster (July 1-4) earlier today on their YouTube channel. Among the artists scheduled to hit stage for the all Canadian lineup are Paul Brandt, Johnny Reid, Dean Brody, Dallas Smith, Chad Brownlee, Emerson Drive, Terri Clark, Alan Doyle, Charlie Major, Washboard Union, Corb Lund, Aaron Pritchett, and The Reklaws. For more information on Dauphin's Countryfest, or for the complete lineup, please visit their web site.

Local web based radio station The Spark signs on familiar names to on air staff. “In the midst of the COVID lockdown I wanted to do something creative and positive to occupy my time,” said Frank McGwire former radio veteran who spent the bulk of his 30 year career in Brandon with stints in Red Deer, Alberta and Dauphin, Manitoba. His most recent radio gig was for Westman Communications Group as morning news anchor for CKLQ and STAR FM. The idea for his concept was sparked from years of having so many listeners ask him why radio stations seem to only play limited amounts of songs or often only 2 or 3 hits from iconic artists when their catalog offers so much more. “I kept hearing people say, “Classic rock covers 30 – 40 years so there has to be more than the 400 songs radio stations always seem to play over and over, and I really wanted to do something about it. The Spark was made available to the general public on June 1st. Since then, not only has the listenership and social media following grown, so has the talent roster on the station. McGwire hosts the morning show which runs weekdays from 7 – 9 a.m. Holding down the afternoon slot is Tim Donovan a radio veteran who got his start doing all nights on KX96 in 1989. Donovan also made stops in Vancouver and Chilliwack B.C. As well as London, Ontario in his 30+ year radio career. The station also offers exclusive specialty programs such as The Excellence of the 80s show Hosted by Paul Devo. Devo aka Gillespie also got his start in Brandon doing wheat kings play by play on Access 12 before moving on the CKX Sports. He eventually moved west to take on the role of Sports Director at two more CBC affiliates in the 90's with CJFB Television in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, before moving on to CFTK Radio and Television in Terrace, British Columbia. Paul still has a passion for 80s music which he proudly features on his Excellence of the 80s show which runs Saturday night from 6 – 8 p.m. Fans of Psychedelic rock will enjoy Psychedelic Sundays from noon – 3 p.m. With replays Sunday and Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. The program features the more eclectic sounds from bands in the rock and roll pantheon between the mid 60s and the late 70s. The show is hosted by Paul Derringer (aka McMullen) who also got his start in Brandon at KX96 in 1991. McMullen's radio career spanned 20 years with stops in Winnipeg, Calgary and Yellowknife. Metal fans will enjoy the Monday Night Metal Shop presented Monday evenings from 7 until 8 p.m. Hosted by Darryl “Beef” Wolski, the show includes personal selections from Beef that run the gamut from the early days of metal (late 70s / early 80s) right up to the current metal scene.  Beef started radio back in the late 80s doing a similar show on 92 CITI FM, his radio career also included a stop at KX 96 a job that lasted a few years until he was let go back in 1999. But as Beef says, “He moved on to bigger and better things” All of these former radio show hosts have a few things in common, they all once worked in Brandon where they worked together and became colleagues and long time friends, they also never lost the passion to perform through radio. Rounding out the Spark team is Manitoba Sports legend Peter Young. Young has just agreed to bring back his “Just a Minute” Sports feature. The former CKY sports anchor and ESPN sports contributor is semi retired while working part time as a Marketing Executive for Northerners Entertainment Group LLC. Among Young's many achievements in the sports world is something nobody can claim, he is the only broadcaster to do play by play of the WHA and NHL Jets, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Goldeyes. He's also managed pro baseball and hockey teams. His Sports feature will start this Friday, July 3rd. Listeners of The Spark can hear Young's sharp opinion on the Just a Minute Sports feature at 7:50 a.m, 11:50 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. Weekdays. http://www.sparkwebradio.com/ https://www.facebook.com/The-Spark-105936474481406/

Cameron "Chip" Elder is an evening & weekend announcer at 94.7 Star FM & Q Country 91.5 FM in Brandon. Chip was born and raised in England and went to school in Ottawa, ON. He started at Star FM in May of 2017. At what age did you move to Canada: I moved to Canada from England in 2009 when I was 13, I became a Canadian Citizen in 2019. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be: Travel somewhere exotic and take it all in. Your three go to restaurants in Brandon: The Dock on Princess, Joe Beaver's, Montana's What is your favourite childhood memory: I was lucky enough to go to Disney World in 2004 and let me tell you. It truly is the most Magical Place on Earth. What is the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window: Sorry to disappoint, my neighbours house for both. If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be: That is a great question! I think I would be a butterfly. Because I am very pretty to look at… but in all honesty. Butterflies go through many stages in their life before they reach their true potential and I believe that all the experience I've learned so far is helping me reach my potential. If you could completely get rid of one month out of the year, which would it be and why: November! November is such a meaningless month. It is sandwiched between my two favourite holidays Halloween and Christmas. November is sort of the 3rd wheel in this situation and it is better to get rid of it. What TV game show, past or present, would you like to host: There was a Game Show I was obsessed with in the UK called "Mock The Week". It featured a panel of Comedians talking about the biggest news headlines of the week and that's how I stayed up to date on current affairs. If you had to endorse a brand, which brand would it be: Magnums… the ice cream… What were you thinking? Two items on your bucket list: Running the Boston Marathon, Climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan What are you most grateful for: Having a career that I love! What's that saying again? "If you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life" If you were a ghost where would you haunt and why: I would haunt around a movie theater so I could still watch the new releases. And I'll show off some of my ghostly tricks during Horror Movies. In a zombie apocalypse, what would be your weapon of choice: Assuming I'm not one of the first people to turn, I would probably take an Ice Axe. Effective and if I get bored slashing the undead I could climb up an icy glacier. What is the worst thing you ever purchased and why: When I was younger I was super into collectable soccer cards and I easily spent over £100 on them. They never did gain any significant value and now they are sitting in a dump somewhere outside London. If you were lost in the woods, how long do you think you could survive: 10 minutes. Next questions. Crash with friends or stay at a hotel: Hotel! Have you stayed at a friends house before? They normally fall asleep before you without giving you a blanket or pillow so you have to use your shoes as a pillow and a rug as a blanket. In a Hotel I get a King Size Bed. What do you enjoy most about living in Brandon: So many great things about this city. The people, the community, the fact that I'm rarely stuck in traffic on the road. But I am a big fan of the Brandon Hills to take my dog for walks. If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator: David Attenborough… obviously. Wine, whiskey, or beer: I'm not a huge drinker but if I had to pick it would be Beer. But if not, nothing beats that highly quality H2O. Nachos, what would you put on yours: Salsa, Green Onions, Black Beans, Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken, Tomatoes, Jalapenos, Guac, and Shredded Cheese… so much cheese

Enjoy a with a wagon ride (East Huntly Wagon Rides) with family or friends at Turtle Crossing Campground this summer. Each ride is approximately an hour long, starting at Turtle Crossing traveling along the Assiniboine River to the site of the old ferry crossing at Queen Elizabeth Park. This is the second year the rides have been offered. A new feature/option they are exploring adding this summer includes a catered meal (inside of a screened-in tent) along the river. Pricing and details tbd. Wednesday & Thursday: the wagon leaves the parking lot at 5 & 7 PM Friday-Sunday: the rides start at 1,3,5 and 7 PM Groups can request alternate times. Cost: Adult $10.00, Child $5:00 - Family rate of $25.00. Group bookings please contact 204-523-6656. Social Distancing practices followed.