The Victoria Inn (Imperial Ballroom) played host this weekend (August 15-17) to the 2nd annual Western Manitoba Tattoo Expo, an event that brought together tattoo enthusiasts, artists, and curious visitors from across the region. The expo attracted a wide range of talented tattoo artists, who came to Brandon to display their unique styles and techniques. The  3-day event offered attendees the opportunity to get inked by some of the best in the business. From traditional and neo-traditional designs to realistic portraits and abstract creations, the variety of tattoo art on display was vast and impressive. The expo also featured a bustling marketplace where vendors sold a variety of items ranging from soap to  tattoo-related products and from body care products to art. All photos by Scramble Studio.

With over 1300 world wide locations Firehouse Subs will open in Brandon in 2026. Owner Ken Jur confirmed to BDNMB.CA that they will open a location on Park Ave, The former location of Kam Lung is now in the process of being being demolished. A strip mall of sorts will be build starting this year.

Country music fans in Westman will have a rare chance to see one of Canada’s top country stars in an intimate setting this fall. Dallas Smith and his band are set to perform One Night Only (Unplugged) at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Sunday, November 9, 2025. The show is part of Smith’s first-ever all-acoustic tour, offering audiences a stripped-down performance that puts the spotlight on the stories behind the songs. Fans can expect a mix of chart-topping hits, personal anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his songwriting process. Smith, a multi-award-winning artist known for hits such as Side Effects and Wastin’ Gas, will be joined on stage by his longtime bandmates, including Brock Phillips. Together, they’ll deliver a more personal take on the songs that have made Smith a staple of Canadian country music. The Brandon performance is one of 51 stops across Canada and is generating excitement among local country music fans. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m., with tickets available through the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium box office and online.

Tattoo enthusiasts and art lovers alike are gearing up for a weekend of creativity as the Western Manitoba Tattoo Expo returns to Brandon from August 15 to 17. The event will take place in the Victoria Inn Imperial Ballroom and will feature fourteen artists. Now in its second year, the expo will showcase a wide range of tattoo styles, including black-and-white realism, Japanese traditional, and bold new school designs. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch live tattooing, meet artists, and even book sessions on-site. In addition to tattoos, the event will feature a vendor marketplace offering jewelry, apparel, artwork, piercing, airbrushing, and more. Tickets,  

The city of Brandon is gearing up to welcome some of the best young softball talent in the country as it plays host to the 2025 U19 Women’s Western Canadian Softball Championship from August 7 to 10. The prestigious event will take place at the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex, one of the top fast‑pitch facilities in Western Canada. The championship will feature elite U19 women’s teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The four‑day tournament will see teams battle it out in a round‑robin format before moving into playoff and medal rounds on the final day. Brandon’s selection as host city follows its successful staging of last year’s inaugural U13 Girls Western Canadian Championship, which drew praise for its organization, volunteer support and quality of play. Those same strengths will be on display again this summer. The championship will include an opening ceremony on August 7 at 6:30pm featuring team introductions, provincial flag presentations and dignitary speeches. Games will run daily, culminating in gold‑ and bronze‑medal finals on August 10. Local fans are encouraged to attend and support the athletes as they compete for the title of Western Canadian champions.