The Manitoba Sunflower Festival (MSF) has been a fun-filled, family-orientated festival in Altona, Man. since 1964.

MSF runs during the final weekend in July and features many different events. There is an opening ceremony on Friday, where Winnipeg classic-rock cover band

Jukebox Heroes will perform live. Saturday begins with a free pancake breakfast and a large commercial parade. Nashville-based country tribute act A.R. Cash will perform live on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be a car show.

Other events will run throughout the weekend. Brittany Winkler, the recreation and events coordinator for the town of Altona, says “we’re a little bit unique, because we have a Manitoba Sunflower Festival Queen Fest, so a pageant event.” The pageant ends with the crowning of the Sun- flower Queen and Princesses, who become ambassadors of Altona throughout the year.

Of course, the festival wouldn’t be what it is without the sunflowers. With a large sunflower selfie plot, festival-goers have the opportunity to walk into the fields and take photos – instead of venturing onto private farmers’ lands for their summer pics.

Winkler also says MSF is a “mostly free festival, which is different compared to other (festivals).” They offer bouncy castles, inflatable slides and other activities for the younger crowd, on top of all of the other events available throughout the weekend.

Published in Volume 78, Number 25 of The Uniter (May 30, 2024)