June 1, Brandon, MB – The Manitoba Summer Fair will be back at the Keystone Centre June 6 – 10 and promises something for all ages.
“We are putting the Fair back in the fair this year.” Said Ellen Murray, Co-Chair of the MSF planning committee. Murray explained that there are many reasons why people come to the fair. “There are those that thrive on the thrill of the rides and there are those that just love the over-all experience of the fair; the sideshow entertainment, the food, the shopping. The fair is a unique spectacle that only comes to town once a year offering sights you just don’t see every day in Brandon.”
The five-day event includes a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. In the UCT Pavilion, visitors can view the newly added Homecraft competition entries as well as an assortment of other artisan and historical displays. Kidzone, located next door features a petting zoo, pony rides and live entertainment with Doodles the Clown, Markus Family Fun and the Skateboard Circus Show. Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo will have their Endangered Canada display in the Manitoba Room and the Brandon Curling Club will host multiple sport demo activities and a $5000 cash bingo on Thursday night.
On the grounds of the Keystone, North American Midway Entertainment is will kick off their Canadian tour with Brandon as their first stop. “We just closed on St. Louis and are super thrilled to be on our way to the summer fair in Brandon. Said Gregg Korek, VP of Client Relations – North American Midway & President of Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. “We have in our arsenal of thrill rides the newly refurbished “Zipper” that missed the tour last year as it underwent an extensive overhaul.” Korek added.
Indigo Circus will perform their unique brand of circus fire entertainment and the main stage will feature The Fire Guy Show and local acts such as Jakeleg Blues Band, Roman Clarke and Julianna Moore. Brandon Pride will host an early kick off to Pride week with the Queer & Present Danger Comedy Showcase on Thursday and Stacey Kay Music from Toronto brings her unique style of soul and machine gun rap to the stage on Friday and Saturday. There will been a mixture of indoor and outdoor horse shows including Miniature, Hackney and Draft horses in the Westoba Ag Centre of Excellence and the Alberta Mini Chuckwagon racing daily in the outdoor show ring.
Along with planning, the Provincial Ex will be moving its office to the Dome Building for the fair. “ We are used to moving our offices right before the fairs, this time we are moving to stay! “ Said Ron Kristjansson, General Manager at the Provincial Exhibition. “This building was built for our community in 1913 as a part of a national fair that attracted thousands of visitors to Brandon. We are proud to bring it back to the centre of the fair this year.” Approximately 100 new citizens with take the oath to become Canadians in the Dome building on Wednesday, and Thursday the Monterery Jammers will provide entertainment for the senior’s tea and dance. On Sunday, June 10 the traditional Cando Rail Breakfast will take place under the Domes from 9 – 11 AM; pay $5 and stay the day at the fair for free to enjoy crowd favourites such as the Demo Derby and Chrome in the Trees. Organizers ask that you bring a tin for the bin in support of Samaritan House.
Details and schedules for the 2018 Manitoba Summer Fair are available at www.manitobasummerfair.com . Follow the Provincial Exhibition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use #MBSummerFair for fair updates.
