The 30th Annual Brandon's "Big One" Arts & Crafts Sale featuring all handmade arts, crafts and food items is just around the corner. The event has grown substantially over the years and is now spread out over two weekends (October 5th and 6th, October 19th and 20th).  A different lineup of vendors is featured each weekend. Admission is only $4 (12 & under free) with part proceeds from the door admission going to the Canadian Cancer Society, Westman for Transportation Services. Additional information on this year's event can be found on their Facebook page here. Location: Keystone Centre's Manitoba Room & UCT Room. Dates: October 5th and 6th, October 19th and 20th Time: Saturday and Sunday 10am -5pm daily.

A local pickup/delivery pizzeria is celebrating its silver anniversary this year. Little Italy Pizzeria was started by Martin Dupuis in 1994. The popular pizza joint was originally located on Rosser Ave until its move to 305-10th St in 2004. The business was sold in 2017 to a new ownership group (Farhan, Morgan & Saki). Martin felt comfortable handing over the keys to his business as the incoming owners had each been employed by the restaurant for several years. Over that time they had developed an extensive knowledge of both the menu and the customers. As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, they are giving away free cheesecake all month long. Buy any regular priced pizza and 2 can drinks to get 2 FREE cheesecakes*. Select from cherry, blueberry, chocolate, or caramel. In addition to a wide variety of pizza options, Little Italy also offers up an array of pasta dishes, sub sandwiches, salads and wings. To order online, please click here. *$20 delivery minimum for free item.

The Clarion Hotel & Suites will play host to the 4th annual Vintage Toy & Collectibles Show on Sunday, October 20. Organizers are expecting over 50 tables of merchandise and admission to the event is only $2 (16 and under free). Vendors will be coming from all over the province. Items for sale include merchandise from brand names like Tonka, Barbie, Fisher Price, G.I. Joe, Disney and others. In addition to the vintage toys vendors will be carrying many other items including antiques, sports cards, comic books, vinyl records, vintage video games, and coin & paper money. Location: Clarion Hotel and Suites, Brandon Time: 11am to 4pm Admission: $2 (16 and under free) Check out their Facebook event page for more details.

Just4Kidz owners (Darcy and Doug Willey) have purchased Kid City in Portage. They have spent the past few days completing some renovations in the 6,000 square foot facility. The setup inside the Portage playground is said to be very similar to the Brandon location. The location includes a multi-level play structure, bouncy castle, air hockey and foosball tables, and a toddler area. They have more additions/upgrades planned for the location in the near future. Kid City is located at 2380 Sissons Drive in Portage.

If you're planning an outdoor wedding then you owe it to yourself to check out Valley Gate-Event Venue. Located just 30 minutes NW of Brandon on the Assiniboine River Valley, this stunning outdoor wedding venue will make it possible for you to celebrate in style. The far-reaching views of the valley create the most stunning backdrop for weddings. Valley Gate is a family owned and operated Wedding and Event Venue run by Patrick and Ruth Loewen. Ruth is a WPIC certified wedding planner and does all the planning for weddings & events held at Valley Gate. The Valley Gate grounds consist of 160 acres of rolling hills and plateaus, running from the top, down the side of the Valley. Wild flowers and prairie grass cover the landscape. The  ceremony area is located on the top of a hill overlooking the valley and has a large 10 foot tall pergola which serves as the altar area. At the back of the ceremony area are 8 foot tall lattice walls with vines. In the middle of the wall there is an opening for the main aisle. There are several flat areas that are great for setting up the wedding tent for your reception and for parking. Open from May to October each year. All weddings include day of wedding planning by Ruth as well as the use of bench seating, white ceremony pergola draping, use of 27 candle lanterns, and more. A list of the wedding services and events can be found at this link. You can also visit their Facebook page here.