If you can believe it, summer is now well upon us.
This is most evident in the fact that one of summer's best events, the Red River Ex, kicks off this Friday, June 12.
What is the Ex you say? Well, how about Missus Peg drops some entertainment bombs down on you right now with this poetry slam:
Horse and canine show, yo!
Carnival food too, foo!
Fry those pickles and perogies,
Serve me up some loaded hoagies!
And dogs! But not just hot ones...
Give me highly trained awesome ones,
Jumping through hoops and the obstacle course,
Rounding up sheep and farm animals of sorts.
Dinosaurs! Yes, that's right,
Rex, the Baby T-Rex, walking around the midway grounds
Roaring at kiddies while they wait for rides,
Can't compete in the arm wrestling championship --
His arms too short, you know,
But this baby dino don't care because he can still watch Sinbad's High Dive Show.
Photo by Vince Pahkala
....and I could go on, but dear reader, perhaps it's best if I just give you the full details, for there is so much going on at the Ex -- which runs from June 12-21 just west of the city (map here) -- that to rap about it would be longer than Tupac's All Eyez on Me (which for you folks in the know, know is a double album).
Aside from featuring the world's largest traveling midway -- which features many fun, whirling and twirling rides -- the Ex also contains everything a family could want and then some.
There will be a multitude of live music including Big Dave McLean and Romi Mayes, to today's up-and-coming country stars, to the always popular Senior Idol, where folks over 50 can sing their hearts out on Wednesday, June 17.
Stock Dog Competition (photo by Red River Ex)
Fireworks on opening night (June 12 at 11 p.m.), because there is no better way to start a prairie party than to do some pyrotechnics; Sally Bishop's Trick Riding Show, where this daredevil lady puts cowboys to shame with her pony riding prowess; daily cute dog and puppy shows; an exotic reptile zoo; and a show that will make everyone proud showcasing a military display from the Canadian Forces Department of National Defence, are all on the agenda.
Plus there's more, like a bazillion things to do for kids like petting zoos, animal shows, stage shows like The Jungle Book (June 12-14), Little Buckaroos – where kids can take part in a western style musical, and the stage show version of everyone's favourite children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, from June 17-21.
(Photo by Ronald Macalino)
And what would an exhibition be without a little friendly competition? This year I may be most excited about the EXtreme Arm Wrestling Championship (June 13th at 1 p.m.) where Manitoba's beefiest biceps try and go over the top for forearm supremacy (you certainly won't see Mister Peg up there, he'd literally get snapped like a clothespin), while more artsy numbers like photography, creative arts and quilting will also be hotly contested.
Of course, this is a mere snapshot of things going on at the Ex, the full roster of which you can find on their website, including buying your ticket today.
And on that note for tickets, if you'd like to take in a night at the Ex for free, and you are into taking photos on Instagram, be sure to RSVP for Tourism Winnipeg's Instagram tour of the Ex on Tuesday, June 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. where a great prize from Earls and the Courtyard by Marriot Winnipeg Airport will be up for grabs for best shot.
Only in The Peg chronicles the adventures of the Peg family–Missus, Mister and Lil’ Peg–as they discover everything there is to see and do in Winnipeg. Follow them on Twitter at @tourismwpg or visit them on Facebook. For even more info on Winnipeg, visit www.tourismwinnipeg.com. Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest information, contests, and upcoming events!
