Manitobans party at provincewide socials

Three thousand loaves of KUB bread and countless cheese cubes have been prepared for this weekend's huge Manitoba Homecoming social.

Events are being held at 63 communities across the province, including the Winnipeg Convention Centre, and they will all be electronically linked in an effort to create the world's largest social.

It's all part of Manitoba Homecoming 2010, a yearlong celebration of the province's 140th birthday, created by Destination Winnipeg, Travel Manitoba and the provincial government.

Socials are known throughout Manitoba as popular community gatherings featuring music, door prizes and traditional fare such as kielbasa, cubes of cheese, pickles, locally-baked KUB bread and Old Dutch potato chips.

They are traditionally used to raise money to help pay for weddings but have been turned into fundraisers by people for university tuition, vacations or even big-ticket purchases like vehicles or home renovations.

Ross Einfeld, who owns KUB bread, said his bakery has had no problem meeting the demand for the socials. However, transporting the loaves to 63 communities has been more of a challenge.

"The places we don't usually go to that has been a bit of a logistical problem. So we're enlisting [the help of transport company] Gardewine North to help us get all the bread to all these social halls across Manitoba."

Parties draw back ex-pats

Manitoba Homecoming 2010 is being marked by festivities of various types aimed at drawing Manitobans from other parts of Canada back to their home province for a visit.

Things started in February with special events at the annual Festival du Voyageur and kicked into a higher gear this week when numerous communities across the province celebrated Manitoba Day the province's official birthday on May 12.

And in Neepawa, a four-day party that began Wednesday with a citizenship ceremonyhas continued with entertainment and educational events, including performances by Metis dancers, re-enactments of RCMP training camps from the 1880s.

It all winds up with an aerial show by the Snowbirds on Saturday and the social later that night.

Neepawa won a contest last year to be named as official host for Celebrate Manitoba Day.

Homecoming organizers expect 50,000 visitors will have attended the events throughout the year and put $30 million into the economy.