There is no better way to spend a summer day than with a visit to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Home to nearly 200 species and more than 2,000 furry, feathered and downright fabulous animals, the Zoo is a great place for exploration and family fun!

On until September 3^rd are the ever popular Birds in Flight Shows where you can experience the thrill of free-flying birds of prey. The Zoo is once again working with the Canadian Raptor Conservancy to bring you aerial displays and acrobatics with a wide variety of species including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures and more! Shows are free with Zoo admission and held three times daily at noon, 2 pm and 4pm.

August is a wonderful time to visit the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden. Located next to Toucan Ridge, the 2,200 square foot exhibit highlights a wide range of butterfly species along with stunning floral displays, interpretive information, benches and water features. The gift shop inside the garden offers a variety of garden and home accessories along with unique butterfly toys, jewelry, clothing for ages 12 months and up, and so much more. Outside the garden, plantings are designed to attract local butterflies at all stages of their life cycle.

Assiniboine Park Zoo is located at the heart of Winnipeg in beautiful Assiniboine Park. During the summer, the Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Visit assiniboineparkzoo.ca for all the information you need to plan your next visit to the Zoo!

The Winnipeg BBQ & Blues Festival August 17-19 will feature the best in local, national and international blues performers along with a Pit Masters BBQ competition. The Main Stage concert lineup over the weekend will include Grammy and Juno award winning Blues artists including the legendary Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt a Whirl Band, Little Miss Higgins, The Sojourners, Jim Byrnes, Romi Mayes, Steve Dawson, The Perpetrators and Winnipeg BBQ & Blues ambassador Big Dave McLean.

Harvest Sun Music Fest, August 17-19, Kelwood. Families are at the heart of this festival, with entertainment for all ages and an all-Canadian lineup of musical artists.  www.theharvestsun.com

Lockport Dam Family Festival, August 17-19 features children’s events, live music from Manitoba musicians and a Catfish Tournament with a $20,000 grand prize.

It’s also the last week of Folklorama – complete with late-night parties at select pavilions.

The excitement is building as the entire community of Manitou prepares to welcome the Kraft Celebration Tour and TSN SportsCentre to the community on Thursday, August 23!

 Look for food, fun and music beginning at 3 p.m. ahead of  TSN SportCentre’s evening broadcast from Main . Watch for the Oreo Cookie Man to hand out his favourite cookies, the Kool-Aid Jammer arts and crafts tents, the aMooza slip and slide, basketball, football, facepainting while you enjoy samples from Tassimo, Nabob, Cracker Barrel, and more, including the Bull’s Eye Barbecue.

Autographs will be available with the TSN Hosts Kate Beirness and Darren Dutchyshen  - but the biggest score is the $25,000 award from Kraft  for the community.

Corn & Apple Festival, August 24-26, Morden. With performances by Kim Mitchell Friday night, and Kenny Shields and Streetheart Saturday night, a parade, midway, and free hot buttered corn on the cob and ice cold apple cider this is festival makes sure you get your fill of fun.

Subway Asessippi Music Fest, August 25 – From acoustic folk and bluegrass, to jazz and classic rock, you’ll hear a bit of everything at this family-oriented event.

ManyFest  September 7 to 9 on Broadway will feature a wine festival, music, running race, dancing, kids zone, lights and cycling festival Ciclovia. The festival for all ages celebrates community, arts, entertainment and healthy living on the streets of downtown Winnipeg.

Provincial Hunting Day is set for September 22 at Oak Hammock Marsh,  20 minutes north of Winnipeg. Join in a variety of free, hunting-themed events from All are welcome, from non-hunters, to novices, to those who have spent with many seasons in the field.