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Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
Looking Back feature
1976: Flame of the Games ‘bursts to life’
By Casper Wehrhahn

Photo info: Winnipeg's Rhythmic Dancers thrilled an overflow crowd during the Manitoba Summer Games opening Ceremonies at Neepawa in August of 1976.
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100 years ago,
Friday,
August 27, 1926
That experiment in asphalting at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Hamilton street appears to have been a failure. The mixture lacks sticktoitiveness and solidity, due to the foundation being too flexible, etc., or something. Does anybody know what to do?
Neighbourliness in Osprey was demonstrated in an unusual manner last week end. When A. Drayson went to the harvest field to resume work on Monday morning he found that the canvas and twine had been taken off his reaper and a special trip to Neepawa for new material was necessary before cutting could start. Mr. Drayson has such faith in his neighbours that he expresses firm confidence in being recompensed. Neighbors helped themselves before and always made good.
50 years ago,
Thursday,
August 26, 1976
The eternal flame of the 1976 Manitoba Summer Games burst to life Saturday night, July 21, and the first Manitoba games were underway.
It was a thrilling moment for more than 1,000 officials, spectators, and athletes, who attended the opening ceremonies. Neepawa’s Rick Fraser, in true Olympic style, ran the torch around the track and held it high in salute before touching off the flame.
Note: Did you know that the 1976 Manitoba Summer Games in Neepawa included canoeing? It sure did! The competitions were held just outside of Neepawa, at Lake Irwin on Thursday, Aug. 26 and Friday, Aug. 27.
These are just a couple excerpts from this week's Looking Back. For the full feature, and additional 1976 Summer Games photos, see Page 3 of the Aug. 28 paper!







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