Hey Winnipeggers!

Spring is finally showing up. The snow is melting, the sun feels a little warmer, and the city is starting to wake up again. I looked out my window last night, and the sun was still out past 8 p.m. If that doesn’t say summer is coming, I don’t know what does.

In today’s edition:

• Jets Whiteout Parties Are Back for the Playoffs

• Community Spotlight of the Week

• $4.5M to Grow Tourism in Manitoba

• Someone in Winnipeg Won 1 Million Dollars

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Jets Whiteout Parties Are Back for the Playoffs

There is just something magical about this time of year. The snow is melting, patios are reopening, and the city is coming alive again. And now, with the Jets headed for the playoffs, downtown is about to turn white in the best way possible.

The Jets are having their best season ever with 53 wins so far. Their final home game is coming up on April 16, and then it is playoff time.

Here is what you need to know:

• The Whiteout Street Parties are back on Donald Street

• Gates open two hours before puck drop

• Big screens, DJs, food trucks, prizes, and more

• Ten-dollar tickets, with five dollars going to United Way Winnipeg

• If you already have a Jets game ticket, you are in

For away games, check out the Whiteout Watch Parties at Canada Life Centre

• Ten-dollar tickets include a rally towel

• Proceeds support the True North Youth Foundation

• Arena food, live crowd, and family fun

Playoff tickets go on sale Friday, April 11 at noon, and Street Party tickets follow on Tuesday, April 15 at noon.

Let’s make some noise, Winnipeg. The Whiteout is back! For more information, be sure to click the button below to get all the details!

A message from Manitoba Dental Association

A Healthy Smile Starts Here

Growing up, many of us learned to brush our teeth before bed, maybe floss (when we remembered), and hoped for no cavities at our next visit.

But life gets busy. Appointments get pushed. And before we know it, we’re googling dental tips from TikTok instead of seeing someone we trust.

That’s why this April, for Oral Health Month, the Manitoba Dental Association is helping Manitobans get back on track. Their campaign, Healthy Habits, Healthy Smiles, is all about the basics. Doing everything from brushing and flossing daily, making regular dentist visits, and avoiding viral trends that might look cool but can actually harm your teeth.

Prevention is the key to lifelong oral health, and it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re overdue for a cleaning or just moved to a new neighbourhood, you can now find the right dentist by filtering by location, services, and even language.

Click below to start your search. Your future self will thank you.

P.S. Looking to advertise in the Winnipeg Digest? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Community Spotlight

Note: We’ve changed the name of this section to give us more room to highlight all kinds of local stories. Not just charities, but also small businesses, community efforts, and people doing good things in our city. Whether someone is just starting out or simply needs a little extra support, we want to make space to lift them up.

Main Street Project

There is something beautiful about neighbours helping neighbours. As the snow clears and the ground thaws, the Main Street community is coming together to make the area feel like home again. And they could use a few extra hands.

Main Street Project is inviting all of us to lend a hand at their Community Clean Up Days on April 9 and 16 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM, starting at Thunderbird House. Whether you are a longtime resident, new to the area, or just someone who wants to give back, this is for you.

What to bring:

• Yourself, a friend, or a coworker

• Clothes you do not mind getting dirty

• Boots and any garbage pick up supplies (they will have extras too)

What they will provide:

• Gloves, bags, grabbers, sharps disposal

• And yes, coffee

The cleanup is about more than just garbage. It is about showing love to a part of the city that has held so many stories. Let’s help it shine again.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected].

City Updates

Manitoba Invests $5M to Rebuild the Downtown YMCA

The Downtown Y has been part of our city for 112 years, opening its doors to kids, families, and newcomers who need a safe and welcoming place.

And now, it is getting the upgrade it truly deserves to keep up with the ongoing changes in the city.

As part of the Heart of the City Campaign, the province is investing 5 million dollars to help transform the Downtown Y into a true community hub. That includes more child care, mental health classrooms, support for newcomers, and even a splash pad for kids and families to enjoy.

With over 1,000 people coming through the doors every day, this renewal will make a difference in more lives than we can count.

$4.5M to Grow Tourism in Manitoba

If you’ve ever spent a weekend at Gimli, wandered through The Forks, or danced your heart out at Folk Fest, you know Manitoba has something pretty special going on.

And now, the province is providing 4.5 million dollars to Travel Manitoba to help share that story across the country and bring more visitors here.

Here is what that means for us:

• More tourism dollars going to local businesses and supporting local jobs

• A stronger boost for Indigenous tourism, with ten percent of the funding set aside

• More events, festivals/attractions for all of us to enjoy and more!

In 2023, more than 10 million people visited Manitoba, spending 1.82 billion dollars. That is not just good for the economy, but also brings energy into our cities, small towns, and local gathering spots.

This is a great way to show the rest of Canada just how beautiful and full of heart Manitoba really is.

More EV Chargers Coming to Manitoba

If you’ve ever driven an electric car, you know the feeling, watching that battery percentage drop and wondering if the next charger is just around the corner or miles away. That quiet worry, called range anxiety, is real. But this news might help ease it.

The province is investing $500,000 to install 51 new EV charging stations across Manitoba. This includes locations in Brandon, Morden, northern and Indigenous communities, and even multi unit residential buildings.

It is a big step toward making electric vehicles more practical for everyday Manitobans and better for the environment too.

Why it matters:

• More chargers mean less range anxiety

• Supports cleaner, greener transportation

• While helping rural and northern communities stay connected

If you are already driving electric or are thinking about it. This might be the reassurance you have been waiting for. Because a cleaner, more connected Manitoba is something we can all feel proud of.

Community Digest

Someone in Winnipeg Won 1 Million Dollars

You might want to check your jacket pocket or the bottom of your glove box. Someone in Winnipeg is waking up $1 million richer after buying a Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket for the April 5 draw.

The winning number? 27966889-01.

No one has claimed it yet, but if it is you (or your uncle or your grandma), you have a year to come forward. Just call 1-800-665-3313.

And hey, if it is not you, that is okay too. We can still dream!

Winnipeg Hosting Prairie Planting Workshops for Beginners

If you’ve been meaning to fix up that front yard or turn your backyard into something a little more wild and beautiful, this might just be your sign.

The City of Winnipeg is running a series of prairie planting workshops to help you learn how to grow native plants from seed to full bloom. Whether you have a flower bed or a whole corner lot, these are beginner-friendly and packed with useful tips.

Here is what is coming up:

• Using Native Plants – April 17 at 7:30 PM

• Growing From Seed – April 26 at 1 PM

• Planning Your Prairie – May 3 at 1 PM

• Managing Your Prairie – May 8 at 7:30 PM

It costs 10 dollars to join, or 5 dollars if you are a Friends member.
To save your spot, just email [email protected] or give them a call at 204-832-0167.

They are filling up quick, so best to grab a spot while they last!

Coming up this week:

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

• Quilt Show and Competition | April 11-12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre

• Rampup Weekend 2025 | April 11-13 (More Info)

  • Location: 100 Innovation Drive

  • Description: Pitch tech-enabled, science-based, or advanced manufacturing business ideas, form teams, and build a startup over the course of three days. It’s an opportunity to bring your idea to life, meet potential co-founders, and compete for amazing prizes.

• Third + Bird Spring Market | April 11-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Park

  • Description: An amazing lineup of 170 + vendors. Whether you’re into art, ceramics, tasty food, stylish clothing, cool jewellery, home goodies, or candles, they’ve got you covered for all your spring vibes.

• Manitoba Schools’ Science Symposium | April 11-13 (More Info)

  • Location: Max Bell Centre, University of Manitoba

  • Description: The largest annual science event held for students throughout Manitoba. Open to all students from grades 4 to 12.

• ​Glass Tiger - The Island Earth Tour | 8PM, April 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Casino

  • Description: Canadian rock band from Newmarket, Ontario that formed in 1983. The band has released five studio albums. Its 1986 debut album, The Thin Red Line, went quadruple platinum in Canada and gold in the United States.

• ​Viva Winnipeg Festival | 8PM, April 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: West End Cultural Centre

  • Description: Experience the soul of Latin America at the heart of Winnipeg! An unforgettable evening of music, dance, and culinary delights, drinks, crafts and more.

• Brett Young Back To Basics World Tour | 8PM, April 12 ($)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

• ​Lucky Girl Spring Pop Up Market | 11AM - 5PM, April 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: 140+ local vendor market!

• ​Big Thrift Energy Market & Bake Sale | 11AM - 5PM, April 13

  • Location: Transcona East End CC Rizzuto Hall (517 Pandora Ave E)

  • Description: VINTAGE, THRIFT AND UPCYCLED Market

Exciting Events: April 9th & 10th

Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Feel free to look them up for tickets, as we might not be able to include every link due to email size limits.

Family Fun🎆

• Spring Book Fair | April 9

  • Location: Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba

  • Description: Hundreds of used books in genres like Romance, Mystery, Young Adult and Kids!

• Zoo Tots | 10-11:30AM, April 9 ($)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: Geared for children ages 3 - 5 with an adult companion. You'll explore nature, art, plants and animals with wildly interactive classes to help encourage your child's curiosity about the natural world.

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | April 9-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry (1824 Pembina Hwy)

  • Description: A hilarious journey through the wilderness of family drama, and a hearty dose of cowboy humor.

• Casey and Diana Play | April 9-12 (Tickets)

  • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Inspired by Princess Diana’s historic visit to Toronto’s Casey House in 1991.

• Manitoba Opera - La Boheme | 7PM, April 9 & 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: Be Swept Away into a World of Young Love & Romance

• Downtown Winnipeg Farmers’ Market | 10AM - 2PM, April 10 (More Info/Free)

  • Location: Cityplace

  • Description: Find fresh and local vegetables, baking, preserves, meat, crafts, jewelry, and other food and artisan items at this year-round Farmers’ Market.

• The Locals Spring Market | April 10-11 (More Info/Free)

  • Location: St. Boniface Hospital

  • Description: 2 days of local shopping in the atrium of one of Winnipeg's biggest hospitals. Staff, patients, visitors, and community members will be there to shop local first.

Special Events 🎨

• The Leaf Unplugged | 7PM, April 9 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Step away from the constant buzz of technology and the demands of daily life, grab your yoga mat and book and come to The Leaf Unplugged.

• The Story of Taylor Swift | 7PM, April 9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Featuring your favourite Taylor Swift hits, this show is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and artistry. Hear the stories behind the songs and discover how Taylor has inspired millions.

• Murder for Two Musical | April 9-19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre

  • Description: A blend of classic musical, comedy, and murder mystery, where two actors play a dozen characters and a piano. Settle in for this witty homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries.

• Architecture+Design Film Festival 2025 | April 9-13 ($)

  • Location: Dave Barber Cinematheque

  • Description: Winnipeg presents critically acclaimed films focusing on the importance of architecture and design in everyday life.

• Raised by Women Play | April 9-13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange

  • Description: Raised by Women is Barker’s tale of the lessons he learned through the women in his life.

• The Incredible Boris Comedy | April 10-12 ($)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: A hilarious hypnotic event with comedy hypnotist The Incredible Boris Cherniak.

Music 🎵

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of local Winnipeggers? Email us at [email protected].