The warmer temperatures are finally here and that means summer is just around the corner! 

Westman's celebration of summer each year starts with the Manitoba Summer Fair - coming to the Keystone Centre next month from June 7-11th!

The annual event is hosted by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and is one of their largest events of the year!

The highlight of the fair is the sights, sounds and smells of the midway with rides, concessions stands and carnival attractions!  One can hear the screams and squeals from rides overhead, smell the candy floss and popcorn, and see the nervous looks of kids and parents as they climb on yet another stomach-churning ride! 

Something to note; more rides have been added to this year's list of thrills!

"There will be 5 new rides coming to us," shares Provincial Exhibition President, Mark Humphries. "This is tremendous!  I think they're trying them out with us for the first time.  So, it's a North American midway travelling out from the south and we'll be the first Canadian part of their Canada tour this year as they make their way towards the Calgary Stampede."

"Believe it or not we've got an arm-wrestling competition going on at the Manitoba Room," he adds.  "We've got a fantastic band booked, the BroMantics, and it's a really exciting band playing the 50's and 60's.  They've got some singles out and full of energy! So, if you fancy a night out on the Saturday, as well as the Fair during the day, the Bro-mantics are the place to go!"

A little about the Bromantics:  

'The band's popularity has continued to grow, with sold-out shows at venues across the province. The Bromantics' unique sound is a blend of classic rock, doo-wop, Motown, and modern pop. Their four-part harmonies, driving bass lines, and infectious melodies have won over fans, and their live performances are a must-see. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, the band has crafted a youthful and optimistic edge that resonates with audiences of all ages,' states their website.

Each year the Summer Fair celebrates agriculture and this year, folks won't be disappointed. The Horsemanship show features the Miniature Horses and Hackney Horses. 

New this year is the Market at the Dome, featuring vendors from Westman, northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. Items for sale include crafts, makeup, jewelry, woodworking, honey products, beef jerky and more. Entry is included in your gate admission.  (Market at the Dome is open Friday 2pm-8pm and Saturday 10am-5pm)

One event that did not survive the pandemic is the demolition derby.  "We've had a bit of a problem getting entries in," explains Humphries. "So, we're looking at maybe making that a stand-alone event later in the year, or maybe next year.  Some fans are disappointed which we do apologize about that, as its a popular event for the crowd.  But we're working on it and hoping to bring it back for next year."

As a key event for the Provincial Ex, the organizing committee is expecting a great crowd to return to this year's Summer Fair - it's 135th to officially kick off summer fun!

For ticket information, visit the Provincial Exhibition website's Fairs and Events page ... or click HERE!  Early Bird tickets are now on sale!