News release:  Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Manitoba AG EX is in full swing and the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association start off their finals competition with a good crowd turn out for the first couple nightsof the 3 day event. “It’s been a great event so far. Traffic has been steady at all of daytime events and attendance has been positive for the Manitoba Finals Rodeo.”Said Ron Kristjansson,General Manager at the Provncial Exhibition of Manitoba. “The barns are right full of exhibitors and excitement is very high. We’ve had several successful sales including the Western Canadian National Hereford, Canadian National Limousin and NAERIC Horse sales and the number and quality of cattle in all of our breeds that came here for this show is simply outstanding.“Said Kristjansson. When asked about how the Rodeo was feeling being back with the Manitoba AG EX event, Chad Stiles vice president of the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association stated, “Bringing together the two events has been great for everyone and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Of course, there are things that we want to work on for next year but we are committed to growing together. The amazing part about this event is the volunteers it takes to make it all happen.Between all of the groups, we roughly estimated that it takes close to 50,000 hours of volunteer time to put this all together. “ Manitoba AG EX runs through the day on Saturday with the Gelbvieh, Shorthorn and Commercial breed shows as well as the Jr. Showmanship, Prospect Steer/Heifer and Supreme Breed shows. The Manitoba Superhorse 50/50 futurity, Hagan Horse viewing and sale and the Fall Class Ranch Sortingare open to the public at no charge until 6 PM. Manitoba AG EX will wrap up with the final night of the Manitoba Finals Rodeo Championship round starting at 7 PM. Results for the Cattle shows and rodeo events are available at www.manitobaagex.com About Manitoba AG EX Manitoba AG EX is home of the Manitoba Finals Rodeo and Manitoba’s largest all breeds cattle show happening October 26 –29 in Brandon at the Keystone Centre.Manitoba Superhorse 50/50, NAERIC Barrels of Cash, Hagan Performance & Ranch Horses, Fall ClassicRanch Sorting and the Manitoba Bucking Stock Futurity have joined Manitoba AG EX this year and will have shows and sales throughout the 4-dayevent. Admission to the daily shows and sales is free until 6 PM. Tickets for Manitoba Finals Rodeo are $20; 6 -12yrs $10 (cost does not include the Keystone Centre ticket fee) available at the Keystone Centre box office or online at WWW.MANITOBAAGEX.COM For additional information contact: Ron Kristjansson General Manager 204-726-3590 ronkristjansson@provincialexhibition.com

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will be holding their annual “Dakota Nation Winterfest” for three days inside Westman Communications Group Place starting January 27th, 2017. The event is a long standing tradition in Western Manitoba and is a combination of cultural and aboriginal sports. Now in it's 45th year the festival encompasses activities and events for all age groups including a square dance competition, talent show, strong man competition, volleyball and moccasin games. One of the more popular events each year is the adult and minor hockey tournaments drawing teams from all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Sr. Mens hockey tournament is especially popular and brings in players with WHL and Jr. A hockey experience. New to this years event will be a 3 on 3 basketball competition. Attendance at last years event was estimated to be near 30,000 people.

Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Manitoba issued letters to Hotels and Restaurants which have VLT machines that changes are coming. Since 1991 Manitoba VLT’s maximum spin was $1.25 and in 2017 the spin maximum will increase to $2.50 Maximum payouts will increase to $2500.00 per win (currently the maximum win is $1,000.00) These changes are due to the increase in casino’s in Manitoba and the fact that customers are now travelling more to one of the 5 Manitoba based casino’s, or travelling out of province.  Local smaller hotels that need this revenue source for remain in business have felt a change in revenue over the past few years. Nobody from Lotteries & Gaming Authority would comment on this story plus Addictions Foundation of Manitoba also refused to make a comment at this stage. A hotel owner from outside of Brandon stated he feels the new changes will not make a big difference “ people only have so much money maybe they will just spend it quicker now”. He also informed BDNMB.CA that people will have a few drinks and now maybe they won’t be doing this. Another hotel owner from the Interlake told us tonight his concern was about having more cash on hand for ATM Machines and payouts as most customers want cash and not a cheque if they win. “ With more cash on hand it is possible to see more hold ups that have happened in Selkirk and Lockport over the past 12 months."

From a room full of tables in 1989 to over 200 artisan booths, the much anticipated 27th Annual Brandon’s “Big One” is scheduled for October 15th and 16th, 2016. Held annually at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, an amazing array of talented artists and craftspeople exhibit and demonstrate their work as part of Brandon’s “Big One” Arts & Crafts Sale. Brandon’s “Big One” has come a long way over the years. “When I took over the sale at year 8, it was a room full of tables”. “I was a vendor in the sale for a few years, so I was aware of the growth potential”, says Keilback.   The first change she made was to bring in trade show curtains and booths.The idea was to give each of the vendors the opportunity to be creative with their displays and sales areas. It worked, the creativity just kept coming! The sale has now overflown into a second large room at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. With almost 200 booths, they try to accommodate all types of customers by presenting many different mediums of art and craft at the two day sale. With a loyal following of customers who demand a quality show of original work, it is a continuous process, searching out original works to provide variety. Everything is handmade, so you probably won't find the exact same items again next year. Keilback says, “Something I’ve learned over the years: if you find something at a booth that you like, you should buy it. It may be gone when you go back!”   The “Big One” also has a big heart! Over the last eighteen years, from part proceeds from the door admission, they have donated $59,826.20 to the Canadian Cancer Society – Transportation Services in Brandon and area. “We have been very fortunate to have UCT members volunteer at the admission doors”. “One of the charities that they (UCT) support annually is the Cancer Society, so that is where our donation goes each year”, says Keilback. The future of Brandon’s “Big One” is exciting. They hope to continue to draw large crowds and will continue to work on keeping the show filled with variety. Looking forward to seeing everyone! Happy Crafting!

Thanks to our travel guru Cathie Crossin she noticed today that direct flights from Brandon to Toronto have vanished off their website. After a few phone calls to Westjet today they have confirmed all direct flights have been canceled and customers need to re-book their flight from either going Winnipeg to Toronto or by going from Brandon and connecting to Calgary and then going to Toronto. One thing Westjet did say was that this is just for the winter months and perhaps next summer the direct flights could happen again, but nothing has been formally planned, or arranged at this time. Too bad to see this happen as having that flight option was amazing to use. Leaving Brandon at 515 am and getting to Toronto local time at 830 am was outstanding.  But if the flight isn’t being used we do understand that this is a business decision.