With Winterfest starting tomorrow and running through Saturday night, I figured it would be best to start one thread with all info and Winterfest chatter in one spot.  
 
This year's pavillions are...  
 
Chinese - Town Centre - 800 Rosser Avenue  
Colombia – Wheat City Golf Course – 3500 McDonald Avenue  
Salvadorian - Bethel Christian Assembly - 440 Richmond Avenue  
English - ANAF Hall - 31 - 14th Street  
Ethiopian - Central United Church - 327 - 8th Street  
First Nations - 205 College Avenue  
French Canadian - Keystone Centre - Exhibition Hall  
Irish - Royal Oak Inn - 3130 Victoria Avenue  
Métis - Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium - 205 - 20th Street  
Mexico – Crystal Hotel – 838 Pacific Avenue (18 and over only!)  
Scottish - Victoria Inn Imperial Ball Room - 3550 Victoria Avenue  
Ukrainian - Ukrainian Reading Association Hall - 1005 Assiniboine Avenue  
 
Full details at: http://www.brandon.ca/winterfestival

Wheat City Journal article:
http://tinyurl.com/ykwm48q  
 
An interview with Esther Bryan by ITV:  
http://tinyurl.com/ylj2mgx  
 
A story in the Wheat City Journal on the Scottish Pavillion:  
http://tinyurl.com/yc4hxon  
Official program (PDF):
http://tinyurl.com/yl3v3uo

Please share any other Winterfest-related links you come across.  
 
It would also be great to hear from people what pavillions they are most looking forward to, as well as your thoughts on any pavillion you manage to check out over the course of the weekend. Please feel free to add pics and video

that tells you what time a certain group is playing?  

gardenmaven said "that tells you what time a certain group is playing?   "

This shows when showtimes are at each pavillion, but it doesn't get down to mentioning specific groups:  
http://tinyurl.com/ygmwtjq  
 
Also the official program at http://tinyurl.com/yl3v3uo should have more details..

helps a bit, but guess you just have to go to see them all. Too bad they can't let you know who is when. Guess it would be bedlam though as people would want to just come to specific groups.  
Should be a good weekend.  

they attached a guide for all the pavilion, show times, maps and bus routes.

not telling said "they attached a guide for all the pavilion, show times, maps and bus routes. "

they just don't show who plays at what time. That's what I wanted to know.  

More info on the Ukrainian pavillion:  
 
SHOW PERFORMERS  
   
EACH SET IS  70 MINUTES LONG.  
Troyanda dancers come on for the first 15 minutes, followed by the band which features 5 year old Brenna Sawchuk on the violin, 7 year old Brooklynn Sawchuk on the violin plus Brenna and Brooklyn sing a duet accompanied by the band. The last 15 minutes are scheduled for the dancers..The Saturday performances will have a guest violinist from Dauphin and an additional feature of young Terron Stykalo on the dulcimers.  
Show start times are 6:45, 8:15, and 9:45 on Thursday and Friday.  
Show start times on Saturday are 1:45, 3:15, 4:45, 6:15, 7:45, 9:15 & 10:30 for the Band Grand Finale featuring lively music and demonstration of open dances by anyone who wants to take part.

And the English pavillion...  
 
The Jimmy sweets 6.30 to 7.15 Beetles 7.45 to 8.30 Jimmy sweets 9.00 to 9.45 Beetles10.15. To 11.00 Beetles 11.30 to 12.15

Adam said "And the English pavillion...     The Jimmy sweets 6.30 to 7.15 Beetles 7.45 to 8.30 Jimmy sweets 9.00 to 9.45 Beetles10.15. To 11.00 Beetles 11.30 to 12.15 "

That's what we wanted to know. Hubby wants to see the Beatles.  

I checked out 2 of them tonight and this is my thoughts of them:Chinese one,don't even waste your time... food was awfull and unless you like fashion shows then save time and skip this one . They advertise lion singing etc and had one singer and no lion dance! I asked Sue where the lion dancers were as advertised she said Saturday (well that is not how they have it advertised and should advertise it that way)..many people were not very unhappy.  
Salvadorian - Bethel Christian Assembly - 440 Richmond Avenue Very good danceing ! Never tried the food though.

Big Mamma said "I checked out 2 of them tonight and this is my thoughts of them:Chinese one,don't even waste your time... food was awfull and unless you like fashion shows then save time and skip this one . They advertise lion singing etc and had one singer and no lion dance! I asked Sue where the lion dancers were as advertised she said Saturday (well that is not how they have it advertised and should advertise it that way)..many people were not very unhappy.   Salvadorian - Bethel Christian Assembly - 440 Richmond Avenue Very good danceing ! Never tried the food though. "

Now that's... petty.  
 
Personally, I thought it was pretty good! The food was great and the chinese beer is good!  
Lion Dancers were advertised on saturday... not thursday.  
 
People seemed very happy.  

go to the Colombian Pavilion! The food is great and the dancing is amazing! These are the same dancers as performed at Folklorama last year at their Colombian pavilion.  
 
The food at the Salvadoran pavilion is really good too.

Enjoyed Crêpes and La fin du monde at the French pavilion... mmmmm! If only they had poutine

today, started at the Ukrainian for supper, very good get there early to beat the line up, beer very good, Mexican was Ok couple of Mexican rappers? Chinese beer good, entertainment supposed to be better fri/sat, English had good beer, but Geez 4.00 for a slice of trifle, the Beetles excellent, Jimmy and the sweets Ok for a song or two but thats it. Scottish, they gotta turn down the lights, the fruity beer too tart for me. gonna do the rest over the wknd.

JamesMcC said "    Big Mamma said "I checked out 2 of them tonight and this is my thoughts of them:Chinese one,don't even waste your time... food was awfull and unless you like fashion shows then save time and skip this one . They advertise lion singing etc and had one singer and no lion dance! I asked Sue where the lion dancers were as advertised she said Saturday (well that is not how they have it advertised and should advertise it that way)..many people were not very unhappy.   Salvadorian - Bethel Christian Assembly - 440 Richmond Avenue Very good danceing ! Never tried the food though. " Now that's... petty.     Personally, I thought it was pretty good! The food was great and the chinese beer is good!   Lion Dancers were advertised on saturday... not thursday.     People seemed very happy.   "

Advertised where?In the Westman insert it does NOT say Saturday for the Lion dancers it just says Lion dancers and showtimes and whats petty about it ..it's my opinion and the people that were sitting around me !  
Maybe I should have had some of that beer and I might have enjoyed it too !  
 
Edited by Big Mamma, 2010-02-05 00:17:49

been to the First Nations yet? I want to check that out Friday night.

thanks adam- this is very helpful

Dancers were awesome at the Colombian: was hoping for some real imported Colombian coffee, but it's Maxwell House (well I guess Maxwell House Colombian anyway!).  
 
It was pretty packed in there, so I expect that the lineups will get a lot worse over the weekend. At least you wait indoors.

at the French Canadian pavillion.  
We plan on visiting the El Salvadorian and Irish pavillions tonight.  
Have fun everyone.

Went to some of the pavillions lastnight and found it all enjoyable. I found the Columbian most entertaining with the dancing and music. The Chinese has beautiful souveniers for sale and someone to write name in chinese, all quite reasonable priced. Each one had something special to it. For free family entertainment ALL the pavillions do an awesome job. Free to us costly to them I would think. Thank you to all volunteers and supports. : )

In reply to the many people who asked if we are playing in the English pavilion this year. The answer is simply, we were not asked.  
For all our future gigs, they are listed on our web site. www.ukadians.com

Hats off Brandon. We look forward to driving from SW Manitoba to attend the festivities and haven`t hit a bad pavilion yet. What a party time it is, even for us older people. Keep up the great job.

maybe this was answered already, but what time are the pavillion on till?  
 
Edited by allybr, 2010-02-05 16:34:41

Refer to the Official Website for full schedules, photos, promos, etc.  
http://www.westmanchinese.com  

believe that the UKadians not play this year ! Last year was sooo awesome ! Hopefully next year again !

really miss the german one...

is incredible for sure.  
 
Check out the Scots. They lay out the red carpet also!

are the beatles play in saturday?

i thought the food at the chinese was very good too. stage show could have been longer like last year, but we'll go again tomorrow to see the other parts of the stage show.

The Irish Pavillion? Had a great time!  
 
What is it about the Irish Pav? It's all cheery and happy. Lots of Guinness, Harp Beer and good whiskey and great Irish bands. Good dancers too.  
 
It's at the Royal Oak Inn, so no standing outside. The food is hearty. Lots of Irish Stew and Soup, potato bread and nice scones. Just a nice ambiance and very well organized.  
 
Gonna Take in the English, Scottish and Ukrainian as well tomorrow. I also have heard the Columbian one is excellent and I want to get to the Mexican and Chinese as well.