A number of local artists will be taking to the stage this weekend at the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition in Morris.
Tim Lewis is co-chairman of the event. He notes the Manitoba Stampede is building a reputation in the world of country music.
"We partnered up with the MCMA (Manitoba Country Music Association) to find entertainment this year," he says. "We actually got an award last year as the country music event of the year. We worked with them to find the best entertainers that we could for our show."
In the evenings on Friday and Saturday, fair goers can enjoy beer gardens with performances by Matt Zimmerman and Nelson Little, with Quinton Blair headlining.
Blair's accolades stretch from the MCMA's Fans Choice Award 2023 to nine other awards from the MCMA, including Songwriter of the Year for his song '20 Dollar Bottle,' on which he collaborated with Jason Blaine.
"We want people to come and experience something different," notes Lewis. "I think it's great to have a lot of different variation."
Meanwhile, it will also be a weekend of roping, riding and racing. Lewis says the Manitoba Stampede rodeo is the only of its kind in our province.
"There [are] quite a few rodeos in Manitoba, but we're the only one that's on the professional level," says Lewis. "We are part of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, so all the cowboys and cowgirls that come here to compete are members of that association. It's kind of the elite league of rodeo in Canada."
This year, viewers can take in events such as bare-back riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, ladies' barrel racing, and ladies' breakaway roping. Saddle bronc riding has a special place in Lewis' heart.
"It's considered kind of the classic event of the rodeo, so that's always been my favourite," he says.
The rodeo this year will also feature pony chuckwagon and chariot racing.
On Friday, the chuckwagon races will begin at 2 pm and the rodeo at 7 pm. Saturday, the schedule is flipped: the rodeo is at 2 pm and the races at 7 pm. For those who prefer to be in early for the evening, on Sunday, the events are closer together. The rodeo is at 2 pm and the chuckwagon at 4 pm. The grandstand performances will also include the RCMP Musical Ride, which features a troop of 32 riders on horses who perform formations and drills accompanied by music.
Tickets include both chuckwagon and rodeo admission on the day of purchase; tickets begin at $30 for a regular ticket with discounts for weekend passes or family rates. Children 6 and under are free.
Lewis says that even for those who have not been to the rodeo before, the events offer a glimpse into a culture that is familiar to most people through films and television.
"If you've ever watched Western movies or anything, it's a little bit of the same lifestyle," he says. "If you happened to catch any of the Calgary Stampede these past couple of weeks, a lot of those same cowboys and cowgirls will be coming here to perform. It's a chance to see something a little out of the ordinary for your typical Manitoban or anybody coming through here."
For those who need to fill time between events or who have other interests, there are plenty of other activities to participate in.
"We try and make it a show for everybody," says Lewis. "We kind of have two sides to our show. One side is the rodeo and wagon racing. The other side is the fair events."
For animal lovers, the fair portion includes the Manitoba Stampede gymkhana, a petting zoo, pony rides and an exhibit by Prairie Exotics, an animal sanctuary that educates the public and shares unique species that are not typically found at the rodeo.
There will also be a midway by Select Shows, a trade show with items indoors and outdoors, and children can be dazzled by The Magic of Jen, an enchanting performance 20 years in the making.
Visitors can peruse items made by indigenous artists at the Gathering of Nations Artist Pavilion. Sweet Grass Stage will feature the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers at 5 pm on Friday.
The Manitoba Stampede runs from July 19th to 21st.
With files from Ty Hildebrand