The 2026 Brandon Home and Leisure Show wrapped up on a positive note this weekend, with organizers and vendors praising strong attendance, expanded features and increased vendor participation.

Held at the Keystone Centre, the annual event, organized by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, showcased home improvement services, building contractors, renovation specialists and locally made products, drawing visitors from across the Westman region.

Organizers made several improvements this year after listening to feedback from vendors who attended in 2025, co-chair Simon Atkinson, who is also a director with the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, told the Sun over the weekend.

“I think at this point I would call it a success,” Atkinson said. “Our vendors are happy, we’re getting good traffic coming through, the weather’s been relatively co-operative, and we’re seeing happy people.”

Students at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School are preparing to bring imagination, music and heartfelt storytelling to the stage with their upcoming production of “Amélie: The Musical,” set to run March 19–21 at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

The musical, adapted from the 2001 French film “Amélie,” follows a young woman who grows up feeling isolated but discovers purpose and connection through small acts of kindness that transform the lives of those around her, director Ramey Praznik told the Sun during rehearsals on Friday.

This year’s production marks Praznik’s 14th year directing school musicals and comes during what she calls a “rebuilding year” for the program.

“We had 18 grads last year, so we have a young cast,” Praznik said in an interview. “But they’re doing an unbelievable job. Vocally they’re so strong, and many of them have never performed at the WMCA before, which makes it really exciting.”