Winkler’s Harvest Festival 2024 was a three-day celebration filled with excitement, entertainment, and activities for all ages. Running from August 9th to 11th, the festival showcased the best of Winkler, bringing together residents and visitors to enjoy a variety of events.
The festivities kicked off on Friday, August 9th, with That 80's Band. The evening was filled with musical performances, including Julie C Myers Rock Revival, and Sass Jordan, which set the stage for an exciting weekend of entertainment.
Saturday, featured a packed schedule, beginning with a lively parade that ran through the streets of Winkler. The Kids Zone was a hit with families, offering activities like face painting, bouncy castles, and games, keeping the little ones entertained throughout the day. The evening’s main stage performances, sponsored by Sawatzky’s Furniture & Appliances, highlighted lots of talent, including Emma Peterson, Water & Wood, and Chayce Beckham, who kept the crowd dancing and singing along.
"Winkler is so much fun. Everyone brought the energy... it's my first time in Winkler, and I want to be back next year," said Emma Peterson. "Southern Manitoba shows up... they sing along, they dance, they're so supportive."
Sunday started with a community church service, followed by a classic car show that brought fans to admire the vintage vehicles. The day’s entertainment, brought by Parkside Home Hardware, featured performances by Caleb & John, Jordan Janzen, and Austin French, providing a perfect ending to the festival with a blend of contemporary Christian music that impacted the crowd.
"This is my first time ever in Canada, so it's kind of history for me... There's a kindness about the people in Winkler from the people that we've been able to meet... Everybody's so kind and so sweet," said Austin French, Sunday Night's Headliner. "Hopefully people will forget Austin French was ever here, but they had a chance to be introduced to Jesus. And that's my goal."
Throughout the weekend, the Harvest Festival offered a little something for everyone, whether it was the thrill of carnival rides, the variety of food vendors, or the sense of community that came through every event. As always, the festival was a testament to Winkler’s ability to bring people together in celebration, leaving attendees looking forward to next year’s gathering.
