The Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede has announced it's not running this year.

Manitoba Agricultural Museum president Angie Klym says their hearts are heavy. She notes they did not consider that the event might be cancelled again following last summer's postponement.

"These are unprecedented times," says Klym. "We can't necessarily foresee the future. But to know where we are today, we think back a year ago when our organizing committees or volunteers felt so disappointed with heavy hearts. But throughout the remainder of the year, and even right up until this month, plans were still being made. Nobody was wavering. But with the most recent announcements and what's going on with the COVID-19 variants -- and just how things seem to be continuing just a little bit longer than we had wished -- we had to make that very difficult decision."

The festival was scheduled for July 29 to August 1 of this year.

She notes the team is taking it quite hard.

"If there is one thing with the museum, it is that the Threshermen's Reunion brings out the root of farming and that passion of prairie lifestyles in every single volunteer," continues Klym. "Some families really do have a reunion every year when we have this event. They get together, volunteer, visit, and they spend quality time together. So, knowing that we're unable to do that yet again this year, certainly does weigh heavy. But yet at the same time, we're also seeing our volunteers rising up above that and bringing an interest saying, 'Let's prepare the grounds. Let's take care of some ground maintenance and get things spruced up and improved so that when we come back in 2022, we are going to be better than ever.'"

Klym adds they are going to try and organize some smaller events geared toward families.

"Maybe Sundays, we can bring the village alive with some of its features," says Klym. "Our scene committee, tractor and equipment committee members are also very excited and willing to do some small events over the summer. So, stay tuned to our social media channels, our website and even our newsletters as we progress through the weeks and the months ahead and into the summer. As the provincial restrictions flex and change, we'll be flexing and changing right along with that throughout the year."

She says there's somewhat of a teaser that they're sharing about the 2022 Expo.

"That one is going to be featuring steam power and it'll be called Prairie Plowing -- Steamed up for the Record," notes Klym. "So, just know that we'll have more information to come. Our steam-powered group will be looking to attempt a world record in 2022."

If all goes as planned, July 28 - 31, 2022, are the dates to look forward to.