Heavy rains and difficult conditions may have challenged local farmers this spring, but they did little to dampen community spirit at the 72nd annual Lundar Fair.
Families enjoyed midway games, rides, food and entertainment during the 72nd annual Lundar Fair, held June 12 and 13. The event brought together residents and visitors from across the region to celebrate agriculture, community spirit and the Lundar Agricultural Society’s 99th anniversary
Held June 12 and 13, the fair marked the 99th anniversary of the Lundar Agricultural Society and brought together exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and families for a weekend celebrating agriculture, community and tradition.
While beef show entries were down from previous years, organizers said participation remained strong considering the circumstances facing producers across the region.
“With all the recent rain in the area and challenges farmers are facing, we were happy with these numbers,” said Lundar Agricultural Society secretary Cynthia Wirgau.
A total of 65 head of cattle from 27 exhibitors took part in the beef show, while participation in the Home Living section increased from previous years.
“This year’s Home Living section was a wonderful success,” said Tina Ducharme of the Lundar Agricultural Society.
One of the highlights, she said, was the number of multi-generational entries.
“It was wonderful to see families of different generations coming together to share their skills, traditions and love of creating. These entries truly showed the importance of passing knowledge and creativity from one generation to the next.”
Lynda Capner was named Grand Aggregate winner for her achievements across the Home Living classes.
The youth cattle shows remained a major attraction throughout the weekend, with nine-year-old Bexley McIntosh of McIntosh Ranch enjoying an impressive showing. McIntosh captured Grand Champion Overall Steer, Grand Champion Yearling Heifer and Champion Jackpot Heifer honours while also winning the fair’s popular $1,000 Jackpot Heifer Show.
Big Sig Cattle placed second in the Jackpot Heifer Show, followed by Berts NR Simmentals in third.
“We would like to thank all the buyers and sponsors for coming out and supporting the youth of agriculture,” said Ducharme. “It is a lot of hard work and dedication these kids put into their animals.”
Additional top beef show results included Champion Simmental Female, McIntosh Ranch; Reserve Champion Simmental Female, Big Sig Cattle; Champion Mixed Breed Female, Jaymarandy Livestock; Reserve Champion Mixed Breed Female, Keira Duguid; Champion Commercial Female, Orla Duguid; Reserve Champion Commercial Female, Greenridge Farms; Champion Simmental Bull, Berts NR Simmentals; Champion Mixed Breed Bull, Maple Grove Gelbvieh; and Reserve Champion Mixed Breed Bull, Jaymarandy Livestock.
In the Peewee Horse Showmanship competition, Paislee Grandmont claimed first place, followed by Corbin Kinkead in second and Olivia Flood in third.
The annual Baby Show showcased some of the community’s youngest residents. First-place winners were Aurora in the six- to 12-month-old girls category, Canyon in the six- to 12-month-old boys category, Amelia in the 12- to 18-month-old girls category and Beaudin in the 12- to 18-month-old boys category.
The Lundar Antique Tractor Pull attracted 62 pulls across 12 classes despite rainy conditions on Friday, while Saturday’s parade once again drew large crowds to Main Street.
Parade winners included Tiki Beach Bike for Best in Show, Gospel Light House in the local organizations category, Maple Grove for family floats, Bill Fleury for vintage cars, Bill Eyolfson for vintage trucks, Combot Minis for tractors, Chaz Monkman for recreational vehicles and Amy Miller for decorated bikes.
During opening ceremonies, Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson reflected on the importance of the fair as a community gathering place.
“We gather at the fair overall these years to support families and join our friends,” Johnson said. “There’s family members that we don’t get to see for almost a whole year and then we reunite here at the fair.”
Johnson also encouraged fairgoers to recognize the efforts of volunteers and sponsors who help make the event possible.
“Without the volunteers, this fair wouldn’t be as great as it is,” he said. “Please consider supporting the sponsors. It’s really what holds the community together.”
RM of Coldwell Reeve Virgil Johnson praised the commitment shown by young exhibitors despite less-than-ideal weather conditions.
“While we were sitting in the bleachers with a nice cover over us, there was squalls of rain off and on, and the kids are in their T-shirts that represent their clubs,” he said. “It didn’t bother them at all. They just kept on showing the steers, showing the heifers, showing the cattle.”
He also acknowledged the many volunteers working behind the scenes.
“There’s a lot more that are in the background pulling everything together here, pulling the strings and making this event happen,” Johnson said. “Without them, it collapses.”
Beyond the livestock competitions, fairgoers enjoyed a full slate of attractions throughout the weekend. The midway featured rides, games and food vendors, while activities inside the arena included face painting, mini-golf, crafts and a bouncy house.
As the Lundar Agricultural Society looks ahead, attention is already turning toward a significant milestone. Founded in 1927, the organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
After nearly a century of bringing people together through agriculture, competition and community spirit, organizers say the fair remains as important as ever — a place where generations reconnect, traditions are passed on and rural Manitoba is proudly celebrated. During opening ceremonies, Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson reflected on the importance of the fair as a community gathering place.
“We gather at the fair overall these years to support families and join our friends,” Johnson said. “There’s family members that we don’t get to see for almost a whole year and then we reunite here at the fair.”
Johnson also encouraged fairgoers to recognize the efforts of volunteers and sponsors who help make the event possible.
“Without the volunteers, this fair wouldn’t be as great as it is,” he said. “Please consider supporting the sponsors. It’s really what holds the community together.”
RM of Coldwell Reeve Virgil Johnson praised the commitment shown by young exhibitors despite less-than-ideal weather conditions.
“While we were sitting in the bleachers with a nice cover over us, there was squalls of rain off and on, and the kids are in their T-shirts that represent their clubs,” he said. “It didn’t bother them at all. They just kept on showing the steers, showing the heifers, showing the cattle.”
He also acknowledged the many volunteers working behind the scenes.
“There’s a lot more that are in the background pulling everything together here, pulling the strings and making this event happen,” Johnson said. “Without them, it collapses.”
Beyond the livestock competitions, fairgoers enjoyed a full slate of attractions throughout the weekend. The midway featured rides, games and food vendors, while activities inside the arena included face painting, mini-golf, crafts and a bouncy house.
The annual Baby Show once again highlighted some of the community’s youngest participants. Winners included Aurora in the six- to 12-month-old girls category, Canyon in the six- to 12-month-old boys category, Amelia in the 12- to 18-month-old girls category and Beaudin in the 12- to 18-month-old boys category.
The Lundar Antique Tractor Pull attracted 62 pulls across 12 classes despite rain on Friday, while Saturday’s parade drew crowds of families lining the streets.
Parade winners included Tiki Beach Bike for Best in Show, Gospel Light House in the local organizations category and Maple Grove for family floats.
As the Lundar Agricultural Society looks ahead, attention is already turning toward a significant milestone. Founded in 1927, the organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
After nearly a century of bringing people together through agriculture, competition and community spirit, organizers say the fair remains as important as ever — a place where generations reconnect, traditions are passed on and rural Manitoba is proudly celebrated.
