Back to Stories

A Memorable Evening at the 36th Annual Sunset BBQ

Posted on June 18, 2026

At FortWhyte Alive, we believe in the transformative power of community to bring people together and build a better future.

And last week at our 36th annual Sunset BBQ, you and the entire FortWhyte community showed just how much you believe in us.

At this year’s Sunset BBQ, you raised $230,000 for environmental education and youth employment at FortWhyte Alive!

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this event such a success. Whether you purchased tickets, invited family and friends, or participated in the auction, your support made the evening truly special. Thank you for making this night one to remember. You braved the rain, brought your energy, and helped create an unforgettable evening.

 

A group of people outside sitting at tables

This year’s event was made possible by our Sunset BBQ planning committee, a generous group of supporters who shared their time and resources to make this event the best it can be. Thank you to co-chairs Jessica Mitchell and Megan Fox, and committee members Sydney Richardson, Liz Wilson, Jennifer Thiessen, Nancy Cipryk, Kristin Parrish, Tammy Johnson, Kathryn Gompf, Brittney Winter, Kelli Krul, Chelsea Eakin, Katie Dubienski,  and Andie Keast.

A group of women smiling at the camera

Thank you to our many amazing FortWhyte Alive volunteers who helped at all stages of this event. From setting up tables to battling rain-soaked tabletops, to selling prize tickets, your enthusiasm and support never wavered. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you to Amrize for helping with the heavy lifting and for setting up tables and chairs.

Thank you to Spruce Catering by Diversity Food Services for another year of delicious food, stunning drinks, and kind service. Thanks also to FortWhyte Farms, Prairie West Ice Cream and Winkler Meats for the delicious food and desserts.

A group of people grabbing food at a buffet
A hand holding a plate of food
A person serving food on a plate
A group of people serving themselves food at a buffet

Thank you to Doug Pollard for keeping us laughing as our emcee and inspiring such generous support for environmental education. Even with rain clouds looming overhead, you kept the energy high and the fun flowing, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

 

A man looking at the sky with a glass in his hand.
A photo of a man with a microphone and a woman standing at a podium.

We missed having Doug Harvey and Jan Shute at Sunset BBQ this year. There is a lovely stone on our back deck outside of the Buffalo Stone Cafe with their names carved into it, so they were there with us in spirit!

A concrete stone with writing on it and table cloth in the background

Thank you to teacher Arlee Jones and students Xavier and Hermela from John M. King School for sharing your stories about the power of nature education.

A woman speaking into a microphone.
A child speaking into a microphone with a woman holding the microphone
A child speaking into a microphone that a woman is holding.

Thank you to Kenaston Wine Markets for supplying the table wines at our event. Thank you to One Great City Brewing Co. for creating a specialty brew for this event. The Sky Skimmer Fruited Summer Ale is now available in select stores across Winnipeg and in-person at One Great City Brewing Co. and at FortWhyte’s Buffalo Stone Café while supplies last.

A hand scooping ice in front of bottles of wine
An image of two beer cans on a table

Thank you to Gregg Maidment for helping to raise funds as our auctioneer for the evening.

On behalf of the FortWhyte Alive board of trustees, organizing committee, staff and volunteers, and the students and visitors who visit each day, we would like to say thank you to everyone who supported this event!

You make environmental education possible at FortWhyte Alive!

A photo of a girl holding up an auction number at a table outside

Thanks to our Sunset Sponsor:
Carolyn Sifton Foundation

Thanks to our Evening Sponsors:
Amrize
Maple Leaf Construction
The Cipryk Family
Parrish & Heimbecker
Johnston Group
PreCon Builders
Winnipeg Building and Decorating
National Bank of Canada

Thanks to our Lakeside Sponsors:
BDO Canada
Winter’s Plumbing & Heating
The Pearson Family
Terracon
KPMG
Birchwood Automotive
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Stantec

Thanks to our Wine and Beer Sponsors:
Kenaston Wine Market
One Great City Brewing Co.

Thanks to our Auction Sponsor:
Charity Auction Group

Thanks to our Event Photographer:
47 Filmworks

Thanks also to Healey Visual Inc., Jasperson’s Greenhouse, and Esdale Printing for their contributions to the evening.

Two men smiling at a table
A photo of people cheersing their drinks at a table
A photo of a woman smiling
A photo of two people smiling
A photo of two people smiling under a umbrella
A photo of people at a table standing smiling
Two woman smiling at the camera
A man playing the violin with people in the background
A group of people at a table with a bison behind them.
A group of people holding umbrellas outside.
A woman smiling at her ticket with an orange vehicle behind her
A woman signing paper at an auction table
A woman under an umbrella smiling.
A photo of three people smiling
A thank you list of names
A list of thank you's to sponsors