Latest news with #ManitobaThreshermen'sReunion&Stampede
Hamilton Spectator
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Kick Up Some Dust: Manitoba's Threshermen's Reunion & Stampede returns this weekend
This weekend, one of the province's most beloved rural festivals roars back to life as the Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion & Stampede kicks off a four-day celebration of prairie heritage, horsepower, and community spirit. Running from Thursday through Sunday at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum grounds in Austin, the event promises a jam-packed schedule of rodeos, parades, heritage demonstrations, concerts, food, and hands-on activities that bridge the past and the present. This year's festival features a special historical twist with a John Deere equipment exposition, showcasing machinery from the late 1800s to the present day — both on display and in action through field demonstrations. But it's not just about the past. On Friday, the festival hosts the Access Credit Union Grey Cup Tour, marking the first time the Grey Cup trophy visits the Austin grounds. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., fans can explore CFL-themed games, participate in interactive challenges, and take part in giveaways. The festival's Homestead Village becomes a working snapshot of pioneer life with 'Homestead Hustle' activity stations. In partnership with Manitoba Ag Days, visitors can experience the grit and grind of early 20th-century farm chores, including hand-washing clothes, tending the hearth, and more. 'It gives you an appreciation for what we enjoy today,' says Angie Klym, spokesperson for the Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion & Stampede. 'We take automation for granted. Here, you can feel what it was like to live by hand and heart.' Each day kicks off with the Manitoba Clydesdale Classic — the province's largest single-breed heavy horse show — and builds toward an evening of thrills at the Portage Agri-Sales Rodeo, part of the Manitoba Semi-Pro Rodeo series. Rodeos start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Midday, catch the parade at 1:30 p.m., showcasing horse-drawn implements, vintage tractors, and classic cars. Meanwhile, the Sugar Farms Demonstration Field will come alive with harvest equipment from the 1920s to 1960s, reenacting prairie harvests past. Music lovers can kick back with performances from local country acts like Damn Straight and Banned and Outlawed, as part of a diverse concert series running throughout the weekend. Families will find no shortage of fun: petting zoos, bouncy castles, barrel train rides, and dozens of food trucks and booths serving up local favourites — including clay-oven baked cinnamon buns and steamed corn cooked by steam engine at the 'Corn and Bar Corral' beer garden. On Saturday morning, car enthusiasts can take in over 100 vintage vehicles at the Route 34 Classic Car Show. For those looking to linger, the adjacent campground offers rustic accommodations just steps from the festival. Visitors are invited to pitch a tent or bring an RV and wind down with some of Manitoba's best stargazing, thanks to Austin's pitch-black prairie skies. The festival's volunteer team — many of whom are multi-generational families — say the real magic is in the sense of connection and purpose. 'It's about maintaining heritage while creating meaningful learning experiences for a new generation,' Klym says. 'We give back, we work hard, and at the end of the day, we gather to enjoy it together.' Come for the horsepower, stay for the heritage. Whether you're looking to reconnect with the land, revel in history, or just enjoy an old-fashioned cinnamon bun with the kids, Austin's Stampede offers a rare window into prairie life, past and present. — Steven Sukkau is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Have thoughts on what's going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former bullfighter clowns around at Threshermen's reunion
AUSTIN — Scott Byrne slaps a barrel and points to the cushions crammed inside. The rodeo clown, who used to be a bullfighter, says it's an escape mechanism. Reading 'wrangler' on the outside, the barrel exists to be smashed by raging bulls. When the animal bucks off a rider during a rodeo, it may turn around and run for a second shot. That's where the barrel comes in and gives the rider an escape. 'They might run behind it,' Byrne said. Scott Byrne poses beside his rodeo barrel, which acts as a punching bag for raging bulls. The 53-year-old is serving as the rodeo clown at the 69th annual Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede. Byrne pivoted into clowning as a way to stay involved after retiring from a career of 23 years of bullfighting. (Connor McDowell / The Brandon Sun) The only problem is that the bull shifts its attention to the barrel — and bullfighters are waiting inside, hoping the cushions work well enough. The 53-year-old is the rodeo clown for the Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede in Austin this year. He is one of thousands who return to the event every year and keep the culture alive and kicking. When asked why he makes the effort — driving out, bringing his equipment and putting on an act for the crowd — Byrne answered that it covers a few bases. After a long career at rodeos, the most important thing is he has some giving back to do. 'It's all about friends,' Byrne said. 'Being able to travel and make some money and pass it down the line.' The Brandon-area resident spent 23 years as a bullfighter. The career invited 'a lot of' broken ribs, and some hooves on his face, and when asked how often he'd been to the hospital, he responded, 'Some years you don't go at all.' Now he doesn't want to put his body on the line like he used to. He pivoted into clowning as a way to stay involved. The new role for him is keeping things light, and entertaining the crowd during a lull in the show, he said. And while it might not be life or death, it's no less important to the rodeo veteran. 'I still take it seriously, 'cause people come here to have fun,' said Byrne. 'We want them to have fun and get their money's worth.' His new task has some similarities to bullfighting. Standing in the dirt 20 minutes before his first act on Thursday evening, he said he still gets the same reaction as when he was staring at a raging bull. 'The rush is there the same,' said Byrne. 'Just before I get into the arena, my heart gets beating. Same as fighting bulls… It's the same kind of natural high, I would say.' When asked about the differences, he said clowning is more a mental act — being aware when there's a lull, and finding something to amuse the crowd. Rodeo clown Scott Byrne entertains spectators at the Manitoba Threshermen's Reunion & Stampede rodeo at Austin on Thursday evening. (Tim Smith / The Brandon Sun) While he transitions out of bullfighting, he trains the next generation to keep rodeos safe. Two men that acted as the rodeo's bullfighters this year were graduates of an annual three-day class that Byrne teaches — and they were put to the test on opening night. A few injuries piled up at the tail end of the rodeo, as multiple ambulances responded when riders were injured by bulls. Elliot Sims, the Manitoba Agricultural Museum's executive director, said the contestants left the grounds in stable condition. Sims noted that rodeo is a high-risk competition and he thanked the paramedics and bullfighters who helped de-escalate the danger. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. 'We're really appreciative of all the efforts that the bullfighters made last night,' he said. 'Incidents like this are exactly why rodeos have bullfighters. They're there to help keep the contestants safe and make sure that the animals are safe by reducing that conflict after a ride is done.' The opening night of the rodeo recorded above-average attendance, with about 1,700 people, Sims said. The event raises funds for the Manitoba Agricultural Museum, which contributes to the preservation of culture and history in this part of the province. 'It's really important for us and agriculture in general.' More than 600 volunteers help run the daily events; the event lasts till Sunday. — Brandon Sun
