Families in Brandon will have the opportunity to access a variety of health and development resources for their young children on May 5, 2026, as the Milestones Preschool Wellness Fair returns to the Keystone Centre. The free, full-day event will be held on the upper level of the facility, providing support to help children between the ages of three and four prepare for kindergarten.
Organized by the Milestones subcommittee of the Brandon Healthy Families Team, the fair has served the community for over twenty years. The event acts as an assessment tool for parents and guardians to identify their child’s developmental needs before they start school. By connecting families with necessary services early, organizers aim to ensure children have the support required to succeed academically and socially.
The fair offers a comprehensive range of free health screenings, including vision, hearing, speech and language, dental, and general developmental assessments. Public health nurses will also be on-site to offer pre-kindergarten immunizations. According to the organizing committee, which is chaired by Lisa Jackson, the event is designed to help children avoid falling behind by catching developmental needs at a preschool age.
Numerous community organizations are participating to provide information and resources to families. These include Prairie Mountain Health, Manitoba Possible, Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba, the Brandon Friendship Centre, and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. The initiative receives grant funding from Healthy Child Manitoba, a provincial government committee focused on youth and child well-being.
The event continues to be a staple for local families, with the 2024 gathering attracting approximately 150 children and their parents. The Keystone Centre, located at 1175 18th Street in Brandon, hosts the fair as part of its ongoing commitment to providing community space in the region.
