This summer has been exciting, not just because of all the great events we attended, but because we got to meet some of the great people behind these events!
The thing that lots of event organizers and helpers had to say about volunteerism: It’s fun, but there just isn’t enough of us.
What about trying volunteer tourism? It’s a great way to experience culture and festivals, and give back to the community!
To volunteer at some of our annual events, please contact:
It’s the beginning of fall supper season! Whether you’re a foodie looking for some cultural fare, or a local wanting to get out and experience the community, there are plenty of dinners to satisfy your cravings.
Sprague Fest – a gathering of community and friends in the beautifully treed river town.
It started off with a pancake breakfast served by the volunteer firefighters. Then local businesses paraded through town with their floats. If you stuck around for the rest of the day, you could watch basketball tournaments and participate in the ‘ugly Hawaiian shirt’ contest!
Just last weekend, the Sprague Show & Shine took place, raising money for the Sprague cemetery with live entertainment, free food and vintage vehicles from all over Manitoba and Minnesota.
You won’t be bored this August! Check out some of these unique events:
August 4, 2018
Angels Cabin Music Festival
Come out to the Gardenton Park to hear local, up-and-coming artists. From bluegrass, to country, to rock ‘n’ roll, this small town will be jammin’ to the finest covers and indie tunes. Gates open at 2 PM. This year, there will be a team survivor competition. Grab some friends and form a team! For more information, visit the Gardenton Park & Museum on Facebook.
August 11, 2018
Sprague Fest
Join this lively community at their annual themed festival! Come to the morning parade, join the basketball tournament, or come out to the evening dance. There’s fun for the whole family! This year’s theme is Hawaiian.
Prairie Days
Learn about the amazing tall grass prairie ecosystem; enjoy guided walks, activities for the kids, and find out more about specific species that live in the prairie. Activities start at 10 AM.
August 11-12, 2018
Carrick Days
This village is full of fun and games at Carrick Days! August 11 features a parade, horseshoe tournament, and live entertainment. Come August 12 for a pancake breakfast and beanbag contest.
August 18, 2018
Sprague Show & Shine
Come to Sprague from noon to 4 PM to support the Sprague cemetery at this annual car show. Vintage cars and off-road vehicles, live entertainment, food, and raffles – it’s a day of community fun you don’t want to miss!
Weekly (Fridays)
Southeast Farmers Market
Every Friday afternoon in South Junction, come support local vendors!
Is that July weather calling you? Do you want to drop the top down and feel the wind on your face?
Sunrise Corner has over 80 kilometres of paved roads! Along the way, you’ll find provincial forest, museums, good food and historical sites.
Let our highways be your next destination.
Check out the infographic below to plan your trip.
Get ready for heart-racing, boot-stamping’ country fun this July, heading into the heart of summer with Canada Day celebrations and much more!
Canada Day
Vita, MB June 30-July 1, 2018
Take two days to enjoy live music, rodeo and perogy dinners at the Vita Canada Day celebrations! Heartland
Rodeo, local artists performing at night and kids activities – there’s something for everyone! And you don’t want to miss the best fireworks in the south, July 1st at dusk! For more information and a detailed schedule, visit Vita Canada Day on Facebook!
South Junction July 1, 2018
Out for a laid back Canada Day with friends and family? Join the community of South Junction for live music, hot dogs and fireworks at 8:30 at the South Junction park.
St. Labre 200
St. Labre July 6-7, 2018
At St. Labre 200, country fun goes wild! Watch on Day 1 as contestants build their own go-carts. Day 2 is race day – don’t miss as contestants speed around the track to bragging rights and glory. Visit St. Labre 200 on Facebook for more information!
Gardenton Ukrainian Festival
Gardenton July 14, 2018
This tiny village will be booming as the most exciting cultural festival in Sunrise Corner heats up. Sing or dance along with the Ukrainian performers; enjoy a delicious traditional Ukrainian meal; and learn about the lives of Manitoba’s Ukrainian settlers with guided tours of the museum. The festivities continue all night with an old-time Ukrainian dance, complete with a live band to polka and two-step your heart out to! It’s definitely a festival to add to your bucket list! For more info, email Kelvin: Kdc0925@gmail.com
34th Annual Slow Pitch Tournament
South Junction July 28, 2018
Come out to the South Junction ball diamonds and watch local teams, made up entirely of families, play for bragging rights! Canteen, rainbow auction and beer gardens open till 1 AM – you’re not going to want to miss it!
As the weather heats up, there’s no better way to spend a day than outside with friends and family, or cool off with a community event. Here are some of the events you don’t want to miss this month! (Workshops and tours may require advance registration. Please visit their individual sites for more information!)
June-September
Gardenton Heritage Tour
Catch the tall grass prairie fever with botanist Laura Reeves, as she shares her passion for this endangered ecosystem with a walk around the Prairie Shore Trail (1 mile, easy terrain). Then step into the lives of early Ukrainian settlers by touring the Historic St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, while those dedicated to its preservation enlighten you with stories of years gone by. Feeling hungry? Local volunteers will be waiting for you at the Gardenton Museum with delicious home-made Ukrainian cuisine and an eagerness to share their memories and stories with you as you tour the Museum grounds and buildings. For more information about this amazing tour option, please visit the Gardenton Park & Museum on Facebook!
June 2, 2018 (Postponed to June 16!)
Star Gazing Party
Learn about the cosmos from the experts! Join the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the Nature Conservancy for a night of stargazing in the Tall Grass Prairie. Taking place at the Weston Family Tall Grass Prairie Interpretive Centre just outside of Stuartburn, MB at 9:00 PM.
Susydka Ukrainian Dance Recital
Come out at 2:00 to celebrate Ukrainian culture! Everyone is welcome to come watch the vibrant Susydka dancers as they light up the stage with traditional folk dances and colourful costumes from Ukraine. Takes place at the Shevchenko School in Vita, MB. Tickets at the door.
Spring Market
Southeast Farmer’s Market presents the Spring Market in South Junction! Come visit the local vendors from 10-3 at the Pine Grove Seniors Club.
June 9, 2018
Highway 201 Garage Sale
Come one and all for the biggest community garage sale in Sunrise Corner! Takes place at the Vita Rec Centre in Vita, MB from 9-3.
June 10, 2018
Annual Museum Picnic
Come for community – come for history. Join the Sprague & District Historical Museum at 1:00 for the special opening of the trapper’s shed display. Local talent will be performing. Refreshments and lunch are provided. Free admission!
June 16, 2018
Supper and Dance
Come for an evening of socializing, music and Ukrainian food at the Vita Friendship Centre. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Tickets are $15. To get tickets, call: 204-425-3706
June 2 & 23, 2018
Ground Training Horsemanship Series
Join Eagle Ridge Ranch and Wellness Centre for two day-long workshops focusing on the horse/human relationship. These three-hour workshops are taught, hands-on, by a certified horsemanship instructor and will build successively on each other. See eagleridgewellness.ca for more details!
June 23, 2018
Family Foraging and Wilderness Skills Workshop
Join botanist Laura Reeves in this workshop tailored for families! Have fun foraging for wild edibles, learning to make ropes, build fires, and so much more. Interactive games will helps develop empathy and awareness for nature. Visit psbotanicals.com for more details!
Looking to fill up your weekends this month? Sunrise Corner has something for you – whether it be a community social with friends and family or a private workshop to work on a better you. (Workshops may have limited spaces. Contact the organizers for more information.)
May 12, 2018
Piney’s Annual Mother’s Day Tea
Photo: Jake Fehr
Spend some quality time with your mom at the Piney Community Centre for food and door prizes at the annual Mother’s Day tea. Starting at 12:30, there will be lunch, bingo, and draws. It’s the perfect way to spend your afternoon. There will also be a bedding plants, floral bouquet and bake table.
Free will offering at the door. All proceeds go to the Vassar and Area Baseball Program and the Piney 4-H Clovers.
Spring Fling
Feeling social? Spend your day at the Sprague Evergreen Senior’s Centre for food, a silent auction, 50/50 draw, bake sale and raffle.
Event starts at 10:00 AM.
For more information, or to purchase raffle tickets, call Georgina: 204-437-4606 or Darlene: 204-437-3238
“You can eat that?!” Wild Edible Adventure
Get ready for a fun adventure in wild edible plant identification, harvesting and preparation! These one-day workshops will give you the confidence you need to
incorporate a variety of common wild edibles into everyday meals. With Laura’s guidance, you will prepare a full-course meal with a variety of wild edibles that
you gathered yourself! Class size is limited to 12.
Register by calling or emailing: (204) 425-3520, info@psbotanicals.com
Get introduced to the role horses can play in healing. Participants will learn new skills to support healthier and respectful relationships. This full day workshop/retreat is offered in a relaxing rural setting of Stuartburn, MB. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Please contact us at eagleridgewellness@outlook.com if you have any questions or would like to receive a registration form.
Woodridge Community Auction
Feel like shopping? Or spring cleaning? The Woodridge Community Club is hosting a public auction between 11 am and 2 pm for any treasures you may have tucked away in your garage, shed or home. For more information, or to register, please contact Stan: 204-429-2253.
May 19, 2018
Woodridge Firefighters’ Breakfast Fundraiser
Now is the time to support the firefighters who keep our community’s safe. Breakfast will be served from 9:30-11:30.
Breakfast by donation. Proceeds go to the Woodridge Fire Hall.
50 Years of Basketball Celebration
Join the community of Sprague for a day of celebration – 50 years of basketball by the R.L.G. School Raiders. The school and the Sprague & District Historical Museum will be open from 1:00-5:00pm. Come and see Sprague’s amazing history. There will be a basketball scrimmage at the school from 2:00-4:00pm. A dinner and dance will follow at the Sprague Hall featuring F&R Music.
Tickets for the dinner and dance are available at Karl & Kays in Sprague, the Vassar Corner Store, and South Junction Co-op.
Call Doris: 204-437-2210
May 20, 2018
Vita Friendship Center Pancake Breakfast
Start your Sunday off right! Join the community of Vita for a pancake breakfast from 10am to 2pm.
Tickets at the door: $7
May 24, 2018
Shevchenko School’s Songs and Sweets
Let your ears be delighted by the sound of music. Join Shevchenko School’s senior choir of Vita, MB in their annual concert – Songs and Sweets. Music and dessert starts at 7 pm in the school music room.
Fires have been burning dangerously close to farm lands and residents in the RMs of Stuartburn and Piney for the past three
days.
Wildfires take an enormous amount of resources to monitor and control, not to mention the strain they put on communities.
There is a complete burn ban in effect in both the RMs of Piney and Stuartburn, and travel restrictions in the RM of Piney. This means that there should be absolutely no open fires, and vehicles should stay off the backroads.
It’s important to do your part in protecting lands and residents from the threat of
fire. Manitoba Wildfire Information suggests these tips for preventing wildfires:
Avoid setting fires on days of low humidity, gusting winds and high temperatures.
Pay attention to burn bans and fire ratings, and know the laws related to burn permits!
Keep fire pits and burn barrels away from homes, trees and dry bushes. ONLY burn in designated areas! (Note: as of April 30, 2018 there is a COMPLETE BURN BAN)
Keep constant supervision over your fire and make sure it is fully extinguished.
Don’t throw cigarettes out of your car windows!
Be a smart ATV or dirt bike rider – their exhaust systems can ignite fires.
Check all farm and lawn equipment to ensure spark arrestors are working properly.
Make sure chimneys and fireplaces meet regulations and building codes.
NEVER set off fireworks without a permit.
Report wildfires immediately!
Emergency Measures Organization says that residents in areas of high risk should be ready for an evacuation of at least 72 hours. If you are a resident, here’s how you can prepare to evacuate:
Know your all of your family members’ unique needs (medical or otherwise).
Be ready to evacuate any pets.
Make plans and have necessities ready to take with you.
For more information you can visit the RM offices in Vita or Vassar
You can also visit visit: www.manitoba.ca/wildfire/
For updates, watch @rmofstuartburn and @rmofpiney on Facebook.
Sunrise Corner now has two, portable, roadside signs for local advertising.
Local organizations in the RMs of Stuartburn and Piney will be able to utilize the new signs to promote themselves and advertise events. This is part of an effort to gain more community involvement and outside interest in local events.
Advertising on the sign will promote awareness from drivers passing through the area, and will lead to publicity and interest of local events and fundraisers.
More information on how to get space on a sign is coming soon. Keep an eye out!
days.
