Discussions

A sincere question to those who say that their kids were bored after 2 hours...  
 
 
... Is the issue the fair or the kids?  
 
I'm asking because we go religiously every year. With the exception of our autistic daughter (too many people, too much noise, too odd smells), my kids LOVE going year after year. They were there a mere 4 hours this year due to our own time constraints, and they were mad they had to leave "so soon" and wished they had more time. We let them buy 1 food item each, otherwise we bring our water bottles and some healthy snacks.  
 
So I just find it odd that kids would get tired of it, because my kids NEVER seem to tire of it. Of course, my kids would spend hours at Peavey Mart, so....

For us, it’s the age. They are used to having a nap and it’s a long day for them.

I worked the fair for all 6 days. Overwhelmingly the most common complaint was the entry prices and the lack of signage that is in the keystone centre .

Abbysmum said "A sincere question to those who say that their kids were bored after 2 hours...       ... Is the issue the fair or the kids?     I'm asking because we go religiously every year. With the exception of our autistic daughter (too many people, too much noise, too odd smells), my kids LOVE going year after year. They were there a mere 4 hours this year due to our own time constraints, and they were mad they had to leave "so soon" and wished they had more time. We let them buy 1 food item each, otherwise we bring our water bottles and some healthy snacks.     So I just find it odd that kids would get tired of it, because my kids NEVER seem to tire of it. Of course, my kids would spend hours at Peavey Mart, so.... "

My daughter used to go with my grandma but after a couple years got bored of going. When you have relatives that have farms the appeal just isn't there to sit all day and watch horses and cattle. I can do that free on the farm. The petting zoo and dogs....well do that a couple times and it gets bored. How many times are you willing to pay to watch the same movie each year?

We attended this year after not going for a few. And only because one of my children had an appointment in Brandon, not a special trip just for the fair. I don’t think I’ll be going back. High gate admission, kids were bored, the keystone arena smelled worse then ever with pee smell, same old super dogs, magician wasn’t very entertaining, trade show..there wasn’t anything eye catching. I think they need to come up with some new ideas! Combine it with a rodeo or something more entertaining. We were quite disappointed.

I was chatting with some friends who were big horse people who usually spend a great deal of time with their horses at the fair. I was told the reason they did not attend is because the cost has increased but the prize money has not. She said even if they won 1st in every class they entered they still would not break even after costs. So they did not come. This might explain why it seems that there are less and less people competing

LiVe LiFe said "We attended this year after not going for a few. And only because one of my children had an appointment in Brandon, not a special trip just for the fair. I don’t think I’ll be going back. High gate admission, kids were bored, the keystone arena smelled worse then ever with pee smell, same old super dogs, magician wasn’t very entertaining, trade show..there wasn’t anything eye catching. I think they need to come up with some new ideas! Combine it with a rodeo or something more entertaining. We were quite disappointed. "

doubt they will combine rodeo with the other equestrian events due to the fact they have Ag Ex in the fall which has the Manitoba rodeo finals. They already have barrel racing at the fair.

I have to disagree.....for some on farms, it is an opportunity to watch and learn from others. My nieces live on a farm, and spend multiple days at the Fair every year watching competitions, so that they now know names and details about competitors.

for the first time in a few years - took 2 of my Grandkids.  
Had a coupon I got at a Wheat Kings game for 2 for the price of 1 so My Grandaughter and I got in $20.00 and my Grandson was 5 therefore he was free.  
 
The kids had fun - not much has changed since I last went about 8 years ago.  
 
The only complaint I have is that I had to park on the south end. I am not complaining about the walk.  
 
I asked security if they were going to be in that area when the fair was over as it is a long dark walk for a Grandma with 2 little kids and they said, yes we will definitely be here.  
 
We left 5 min before the evening program was over and there was NO Security. We felt unsafe walking into a dark area with hardly any cars left and no security.

LadyWendy said "for the first time in a few years - took 2 of my Grandkids.   Had a coupon I got at a Wheat Kings game for 2 for the price of 1 so My Grandaughter and I got in $20.00 and my Grandson was 5 therefore he was free.     The kids had fun - not much has changed since I last went about 8 years ago.     The only complaint I have is that I had to park on the south end. I am not complaining about the walk.     I asked security if they were going to be in that area when the fair was over as it is a long dark walk for a Grandma with 2 little kids and they said, yes we will definitely be here.     We left 5 min before the evening program was over and there was NO Security. We felt unsafe walking into a dark area with hardly any cars left and no security. "

Not sure, but I am guessing security probably did patrols of the inside and outside area's, and just wasn't where you needed them at that time. May have been a good idea to ask for a escort? Of course, they could have mentioned that when you asked them. Maybe when they said we will be here, they meant at the fair, and figured you would ask (they could have been clearer)?

made it very clear to both - 1 in the far parking lot and the one at the stop sign that I would not feel safe walking that far at approx. 10:30 to 11 pm and security told me they would be right where they are in the far parking lot and others would be in other areas of the parking lot.

I have lived in brandon all my life and as a kid/young teenager like many others love the summer fair winter fair never was much of a fan. But as time got older I'm not a fan of either now like stated before it's the same old same old and if anything less for more and the building hasn't done a whole lot for updates and they haven't really done much to bring new things in. Having said that it's usually just 2 of us going so 40 dollars and thats if ou buy nothing.. how many people buy nothing? I would much rather spend that 40 and go out for supper or a movie, now you look at a family say of four that's about 60 just to get in now we all know kids want everything and you also want to eat the  
So you can be in a easy couple hundred. So far that you might as well go for a day trip to winnipeg to the zoo for just a bit more but triple the fun and excitement. Overall I honestly don't even know what they could add to make it better like it's not horrible just every year is to much like in the past 10 to 15 years I've gone maybe 2 or 3 times and 2 of them times would be within the past 5 mostly because the fiance loves horses, if it was just me I would probaly still be at 1 lol.but yes overall its still the same.

curlysister said "I have to disagree.....for some on farms, it is an opportunity to watch and learn from others. My nieces live on a farm, and spend multiple days at the Fair every year watching competitions, so that they now know names and details about competitors. "

My daughter and her cousins were city people visiting farms. Your niece lives that lifestyle. Mine would visit the farm, feed cows, that sort of thing. By the end of a weekend visit they are more than ready to come home. Myself as a city folk would visit my grandparents for the summer school vacations. It was a novelty thing for me. Where else could I learn to drive at a young age besides a hay field? Learn to shoot gophers, spear mice hiding in the hay rows, etc. Best memories of my one grandfather was sitting on the fender of the tractor during hay season. Couldn't legally drive but I knew how to bale hay. Go figure.  
 
Your watching and learning from others is a competitive aspect which is why the fair is there for the competition events. That would bore me as I was not into that sort of stuff.

I’ve been attending the fair for 40 plus years and have to say, I was very disappointed in this year! Wednesday evening main arena was a joke, horse jumping was like 8-9 riders as appose to 15 plus other years 6 horse hitch was 3 as apposed to 8-9 other years and kids dressed as jockeys running around with a horse pole between their legs was a joke! The petting zoo was a joke too! The only attraction that was of interest this year was Birds of Prey . Come on Brandon you can do a lot better than that!

so I will ask... what was the admission after 7? Cheaper by how much?

Johnbisonbear said "so I will ask... what was the admission after 7? Cheaper by how much? "

They only had a lower price at gate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. There was no lower rate for thurs, fri and sat. So for mon tues, wed, it was lowered to $13 gate admission after 5 pm.

I had to work at the Keystone during the Winter Fair and I can tell you it's nothing new or exciting. Before my shift, we had to endure some bad karaoke and a puppet show every time. The fudge was tasty but pricey. Trust me; you get ripped off if you only order half a slice. At least employees can get in for free.

I volunteered and worked at the Winter Fair. I remember as kid loving it...spending 2 or 3 full days there watching day shows, evening shows, eating all the food that was different than the every day "rink" or local food. I went in early for one shift and walked around. I was done in 30 minutes. Didn't see anything new or exciting. I agree with the pushy vendors. I found all the stuff to be like 'as seen on TV' or just a local business I can go to any day. Same with the food. I remember beef producers selling a beef on a bun that was so good. It was one of the highlights for me every year. I found the food prices out of control (I can make a bucket of fries for a lot less than $9.00). As I was working I was lucky to not have to pay the gate admission, I honestly don't understand how a family can possibly afford those prices.  
As for the Home Show...I am looking to get new flooring in my home. I have had a couple of estimates but can't afford it right now. Someone said, go to the home show there will be good deals there. I heard the price of $10 admission. Why would I go and pay $10 to look for a product that I am going to spend thousands on. That makes no sense to me. I don't think paying to shop is in my budget. If I heard it was $5 and going to charity maybe. I wonder if the price of admission went to the free meal and drinks the vendors were treated to after the show last night.