Sunrise Corner is an Incredible Place to Visit:
Sunrise Corner is a place where communities celebrate together every chance they get. It’s a place where strangers become friends and small towns become centers of attention. When you visit a community in Sunrise Corner, you’re sure to find sights, sounds and smells you’ve never had before.
If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss one of our amazing Canada Day events. On July 1st, the communities of Vita and South Junction serve as social hubs in the RMs of Stuartburn and Piney, boasting live entertainment, children’s games, lots of food and spectacular fireworks. Vita even hosts a rodeo.
The Vassar Ball Tournament is another annual favourite, with slo-pitch, baseball, entertainment and awesome food. The Vassar baseball diamonds have been the stomping grounds of a number of Manitoba baseball hall-of-famers. This annual tournament in mid-August is a lasting legacy of the rich sporting history of the area.
Gary Hora, Woodridge resident, encourages folks to check out Carrick Days, also in August. “It’s a fun day all around. It’s kinda small-time community party and then a horseshoe tournament,” he says. Carrick is also home to the historic Spurgrave school – a one-room school house that is still remembered fondly by Carrick residents who grew up there.
If you’re interested in history and really good food, visit the annual Gardenton Ukrainian festival in mid-July. Gardenton Park also hosts the Angel’s Cabin music festival in August, featuring local folk, country, rock and indie artists.
Probably the largest event of the summer is St. Labre 200, usually hosted in early July, but in 2021 was held in August to work around public health guidelines. This unique, award-winning event is a two-day, build-to-race go-karting event that raises money for local charities and organizations, having raised more than $100,000 over the past 10 years. Visit their website to find out more.
Other great annual summer include:
– South Junction Family Slo-pitch Tournament (July)
– Sprague Fest (August)
– Prairie Days in Gardenton (August)
– Sundown Gymkhana (August)
– Piney ATV Derby Fundraiser (September)
If you’re a foodie, try hitting up all of the fall suppers in Sunrise Corner. If they’re not serving sit-down meals, most organizations are providing take-out to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. You can find dates and locations on the Sunrise Corner events calendar.
Winter events include:
– Sprague Halloween Breakfast & Social (October)
– Vita & Area Winter Festival (January)
– Southeast SnoRiders Show’n’Shine (February/March)
If you’ve still got a free weekend after all that, visit the Southeast Farmer’s Market in South Junction. The Pine Grove Senior’s Centre is home to the market every Friday afternoon in the summer and once a month the remainder of the year. It’s a great opportunity to support local while filling your cupboards with delicious baked goods, veggies and preserves. The Stuartburn-Emerson Franklin Local Food Initiative also provides direct access to producers of all kinds. Visit their Facebook page for dates and vendor details.
Andrea Bente moved from Germany to the RM of Stuartburn 12 years ago. She is an active supporter of buying at local markets, and a volunteer and participant in many of Gardenton’s events. “The last three or four years I’m discovering things around where I live that I never knew before,” she says. “We have so many nice places around here. There are so many things that people can do here.”
Watch the video: Visiting in Sunrise Corner