Optimism was high going into the Manitoba Summer Fair. Organizers were hopeful that after a two-year absence, people would come back – and they did. 2022 will go down in history as a great success!
“It was nothing less than heartwarming to see the big smiles and hear the screams of delight along the midway”, says Kathy Cleaver Provincial Exhibition President. “We had just hosted a successful Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, so we decided to go for it. But it would not have been such a huge success without our sponsors – the members of business community who really stepped up to make sure the events went off without a hitch and our visitors had fun.”
Fireworks lit up the sky at the end of opening night on Wednesday and then the fair was up and running.
There was entertainment each day where families and kids of all ages had front row seats to world-class shows: The Hockey Circus Show, Aaron Matthews Magic, The Silver Starlets Acrobats and the ever-popular Doodles the Clown. The beer garden featured toe-tapping, live music from Nuthin but Trouble and Crossfyre.
During Westman Disabilities Day, organizers also hosted those with limited abilities. The famous Dome building was the site of the Seniors Tea and Dance as well as the wrap-up and rousing Pancake Breakfast Sunday morning sponsored by Cando Rail and Terminals. Market at the Dome was held for two days with more than two dozen vendors selling crafts, brand-name items as well as local wine and mead. Local Food Truck vendors provided visitors with tasty meals made right on site. Competitions were held in the Westoba Ag Centre for Hackney Ponies and Miniature Horses.
As always, the midway was the biggest draw. Over the five days there were more than 25,000 visitors. The best attendance was Saturday with almost double the attendance seen in 2019.
“It may sound simple, but we want to say a big, huge thank you,” adds Cleaver. “Thank you to our volunteers, our businesses and most of all our visitors who helped make our dream a reality. Bringing the community together and helping to support the local economy is something that is so important to us.”
Next up on the Provincial Exhibition calendar is Manitoba AG-EX October 26 to 29 of 2022.