Ty Hildebrand

Canada Day celebrations at Lake Minnewasta are well underway, and the energy is building for a day packed with family-friendly fun, lakeside vibes, and unforgettable fireworks. Morden’s annual Beach Blast is back, and this year's event promises to be one of the biggest yet.

The City of Winkler is gearing up for a full day of fun, food, and family-friendly entertainment as it celebrates Canada Day on July 1st. Community Events Coordinator Lucas Dyck says the event is shaping up to be “a full family event,” with something for all ages to enjoy.

“We’ve got lots on the menu for Canada Day,” said Dyck. “There’s a Kid Zone area, lots of entertainment for the kids — glitter tattoos, bouncy castles, bubble soccer, a petting zoo, kids train, and even a chance for kids to meet their favorite characters courtesy of Country Princess.”

It’s been a whirlwind few months for Byron Froese — the Winkler-born hockey pro just wrapped up his 13th season of professional hockey by winning the Gagarin Cup with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, the top prize in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Russia’s premier pro league.“It was definitely a long year,” said Froese in an interview this week.

In the heart of Winkler, Gateway Resources is quietly doing some of the dirtiest — and most important — work in the region: sorting your recycling.

While blue bins and carts are rolled to the curb across the Pembina Valley, the real work begins once those containers arrive at Gateway’s doors. And according to staff, what’s inside isn’t always what it should be.

After 13 years of dedication, Sheri Derksen is stepping down as the beloved crossing guard supervisor at École Morden Middle School — but she’s not going far. Sheri will continue her role as an Educational Assistant (EA) at the school, leaving behind the flags but carrying on her daily commitment to students.

A morning ritual that’s meant the world

Sheri’s passion for patrolling started with a simple but powerful goal: keeping kids safe and giving them a friendly start to their day.

We had a fantastic time celebrating our last classroom of the month for 2024-25, Mrs. Mac's grade 2 class at JR Walkof School in Winkler!

The heart of southern Manitoba is set to roar with excitement once again as the Miami Fair and Rodeo gallops into town Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29. The two-day community celebration is steeped in tradition, excitement, and hometown pride — and this year’s event promises to be one of the best yet.

“The fair’s been around since 1911, and this marks 30 years for the rodeo itself,” says longtime volunteer and Miami Agricultural Society board member Troy Turner. “It’s pretty exciting that a small town like ours has carried on this legacy for so long.”

The engines will be roaring and spirits soaring on Friday, July 12th, as Eden Foundation hosts its 18th annual Tractor Trek, proudly powered by Greenvalley Equipment. This much-anticipated event celebrates both rural roots and the power of community-driven mental health support.

One of southern Manitoba’s biggest summer festivals is bringing something for everyone to the mainstage this August — with a full weekend of rock, country, nostalgia, and local talent.

The Morden Corn & Apple Festival has announced its 2025 musical lineup, with Canadian country star Chad Brownlee headlining Friday night and 90s tribute group Big Shiny 90s taking over Saturday. The lineup also features local openers Brothers Keep and Monochromatics, ensuring a strong regional presence on the festival’s biggest stage.

Horse lovers, mark your calendars! Pembina Valley Bible Camp is bringing the community together for a day of fun, friendly competition, and connection with their second annual Gymkhana event, taking place Saturday, June 21st at the campgrounds. This horse-focused gathering is open to riders of all ages and experience levels, and promises something for everyone—whether you ride or just want to enjoy the show.