The season of fairs, festivals, and outdoor celebrations is winding down, which also means the end of Dairy Queen Celebrate Summer. 

This year, summer events host Andrea Turner travelled across the southeast, attending more than 40 community gatherings. She was often seen in the Dairy Queen Celebrate Summer Jeep, handing out coupons and connecting with communities. 

Stewart Holditch, co-owner of Dairy Queen in Steinbach, says he was glad to be part of Celebrate Summer and grateful for the partnership with Turner. 

“She's been a real asset,” he says. “We've done a lot of golf tournaments together, handing out a lot of Dilly Bars and having her by my side, helping handle coupons and fill in for the couple of times I got sneak back for lunch to help out, but she's been able to keep it together for us, and I've really appreciated it, it's been awesome.” 

Turner agrees that the partnership has been enjoyable. 

“I think me and Stew are pretty good friends by now,” she says. 

One highlight for Holditch was taking part in the Pioneer Days Parade. 

“First one for me. I've never been in it or even seen it, so that wave of people right at the fire hall, I got told 10,000 people,” he explains. “All the kids, the smiles, the families, just the community, it was awesome to see and be part of. I had my little guy JD there. He was enjoying chucking out the little DQ free Blizzard tokens and he's looking forward to next year already.” 

@steinbach_online It was so great to see you at the Pioneer Days Parade! We had a great time with our friends from #dq Enjoy your August #LongWeekend #steinbach #SteinbachOnline #celebratesummer ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline

Turner also had many highlights from the summer. 

“It's been a busy one," she says. “I had a lot of fun! Summer in the City is a great way to kind of kick off the hotter months, of course.” 

From sports games to parades, rodeos, and more, Turner says her favourite was the Landmark Friendship Festival. 

“It started raining in the beginning and it was really cool to see everyone rush together, put the tent together in like two seconds, which was very impressive and they kept playing the music and then the rain passed within like 10 minutes and we had a great time. So, it was a little scary there for a second but saved the celebrations and then I got to ride the mechanical bull.” 

She also enjoyed St. Labre 200, where she got behind the wheel of a go-kart. 

“I got to do one lap around the track. It was a quick lap, but it was a lot of fun. Somebody told me, ‘It's not the worst I've ever seen.’ So, I'm taking it.” 

@steinbach_online

Head down to St Labre 200 right now to see some 100 lap heat racing!!

♬ mario kart style jingle(1347665) - Bonjiri

This summer was full of firsts for Holditch as well. Not only did he join Celebrate Summer and participate in the parade, but he also officially became owner of Dairy Queen in Steinbach. 

“Timing for ownership was awesome. It was like, here's the keys and bang, busy season. So, I think for any new owner that's kind of what you want to see, you want to get into it.” 

So far, he says the experience has been very positive. 

“It was awesome. I really appreciated the community coming out, being very supportive. Lots of congratulations and welcome back to Steinbach. It's been really warming, and almost got a little emotional there, but yeah, it's been great.” 

We also got to hear about your summer, with many answering the weekly questions on the contest page for a chance to win great prizes. 

While summer is wrapping up, you don’t have to wait until next year to enjoy Dairy Queen treats. Blizzards and Dilly Bars are available all year round! 

 

@steinbach_online Dairy Queen Celebrate Summer is coming to an end. Here are a few of our hilights!! @DQSteinbach #summer #summerdump #local #endofsummer #dairyqueen ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline

If you missed some of this year’s events, you can look back on the Dairy Queen Celebrate Summer page, where photos from every stop on Turner’s journey have been shared. 

With files from Kenton Dyck

Thank you to the sponsors who made Dairy Queen Celebrate Summer possible: 

The Rental House 

Steinbach Dodge 

D&A Sales and Service 

La Broquerie Hotel 

Red River College Steinbach 

Oakridge Garden Centre 

Buffalo Point Resort 

MIDCAN Powersports 

TimberFalls 

Pharmasave Steinbach 

McMunn & Yates Steinbach 

Castle Mortgage Group Steinbach 

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