Residents of the Rural Municipality of Hanover have a busy year of community activities ahead, as the local government and volunteer committees have expanded the annual events calendar for 2026. From spring through fall, the municipality is hosting a wide variety of gatherings in communities such as Mitchell, Kleefeld, Grunthal, and New Bothwell.
The Hanover Ag Society, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, remains a central hub for activity at the Exhibition Park in Grunthal. The site will host the Spring Twist Off on June 5, featuring bull riding and barrel racing. Later in the summer, the Hanover Ag Fair is set for August 13-16, highlighted by the Bull Riders Canada Invitational. This competition, sponsored by Steinbach Feeds, features $13,500 in prize money. The fairgrounds will also host the season finale for the Heartland Rodeo Association from September 11-13.
Beyond the agricultural events, local recreation committees are organizing several town-specific celebrations. In Mitchell, residents can visit the Stahn Field Park and Mitchell Community Centre on July 11-12 for Mitchell Fun Days, which includes a parade, a car show, and a free pancake breakfast. The Kleefeld Honey Festival is set for August 22, continuing a tradition that began in 1970 and features an outdoor concert and a community dinner. Additionally, the New Bothwell Chamber of Commerce and Recreation Association is organizing the annual Wine and Cheese Festival, which highlights products from the Bothwell Cheese company.
These events are organized by local volunteers with support from the Rural Municipality of Hanover. As the most populous rural municipality in Manitoba, with 17,261 residents (2021 census), the region offers these opportunities to encourage community engagement across its 741 square kilometre area.
