Today is our wonderful city's 116th birthday, and we couldn't ask for a better day with us hitting a high of 3 degrees. However, that was not the case on Wednesday, February 13th, 1907. Back then, they had a high of -18 and a low of -25. Although it was a chiller day, that didn't stop Portage from being established. 

With some help from all of you, we have made a list of 116 things that make Portage great. 

When it comes to all things Portage, Jani Witoski has many favourite things. We know it is so hard just to pick one thing. 
116 - Island Park
115 - Local Musicians
114 - The Portage Farmers Market
113 - The Whoop and Hollar Folk Festival
112 - the pools
111 - The walking paths
110 - Train watching
109 - Delta Beach
108 - Delta Marsh
107 - The wildlife
106 - The On-Air radio shows
105 - Strawberry farms
104 - Crescent lake
103 - The Portage Diversion
102- Fishing opportunities
101 - The skateboard park
100 - The splash pad

Elaine Overton notes that there are many things she loves.
99 - Portage la Prairie Regional Library
98 - Herman Prior Activity Centre
Adian James is all about supporting local.
97 - Portage Potato Festival
96 - Portage Farmers Market

Irene Boyse says it is all about the community.
95 - The people in Portage are some of the most generous people you'll find
94 - Diversity of the people who live here

Mayor Sharilyn Knox has loads of great things to say about Portage.
93 - I love how everything I need is in close proximity.
92 - I don't miss wasting time sitting in traffic.
91 - I love the people!

Lorna Knight says that the community is what makes living here worth it.
90 - Businesses, community organizations and the wonderful volunteers who make things happen!
89 - The community spirit among Portage citizens is amazing!

Caitlin Giercke, owner of Pharmasave, says she loves growing her business here.
88 - I love that this has become my home
87 - I love raising my kids here

Blair Davida, who has since moved out of Portage, says one thing keeps them coming back.
86 - The food!

Judy Gleich is thankful for the longest-running radio station in Portage.

85 - CFRY Radio for keeping folks informed about things happening in PLP and the area.

Tammy Hammersley notes that it is the people that make Portage amazing.
84 - The continued community support for any and all organizations.

Natasha Ralph, who has only been living here for five years, says she loves living here.
83 - My favourite thing about our town is how the community comes together for various causes or gets together for events. So, for me, the people who live here make Portage great.

Donna Creyke has lived here for 71 years.
82 - I was born and raised here…love to visit other places, but there is no place like home—-family and friends.

Kim Richards notes it's simple.
81 - The people

And how about these - expanding on much of the above. Things we love about Portage....

80 - Bill's Sticky Fingers
79 - The new pickleball courts
78 - skating on the crescent
77 - Doc Walker is the best!
76 - the largest Coke can in the world (what is in there?)
75 - the Portage Golf Course is top notch
74 - Mil-Jeanne Flowers is an awesome store
73 - a curling rink attached to a hotel? Awesome!
72 - Shindleman Aquatic Centre - Manitoba's largest wave pool
71 - its cousin - Splash Island
70 - sunsets are amazing
69 - the soccer pitches at Rotary Park are top notch
68 - PCI is an amazing high school, with big city options smaller town feel
67 - see above - our amazing teachers
66 - so many chicken restaurants!
65 - see above - show me the Pizza
64 - Blake Spiller is one of the best coaches/GMs in all of Canada
63 - Portage Terriers, 8 of the last 13 titles? Say no more
62 - Terriers have 2 National Championships. A Memorial Cup, A Centennial Cup, the RBC Cup - no other city in Canada can claim this feat
61 - more than 150 years of the Portage Ex!
60 - Jimmy's
59 - did we say golf? at least six great courses in the general vicinity
58 - Island Park deserves five spots alone - picnic at the park with the shelters
57 - the awesome play structure
56 - wildlife watching while there
55 - the restored duck pond area
54 - top-notch tennis courts
53 - disc golf
52 - a campground beside all of the above? We got it
51 - Stride Place arena is considered one of the best in the country for a city this size
50 - Central Plains Cancer Services
49 - baseball fields of Rotary Park 
48 - bird watching, so many different types
47 - seasonal fresh vegetables/roadside stands
46 - Mr. Mikes/Boston Pizza/Tavern United - many great choices for sit-down meals
45 - close proximity to some great beaches and campgrounds
44 - fishing/ice fishing
43 - have you had a chance to see the endless sky/northern lights?
42 - everything is less than 10 minutes away
41 - all the extra time you get waiting for a train
40 - Community Foundation of Portage keeps on giving!
39 - the soon to be rebuilt Koko Platz Rec Club
38 - so many free family activities
37 - brand new hospital on the way
36 - Southport Rec Plex - bowling, climbing wall, gym available and more
35 - hosting many national and provincial sports events
34 - being close to the middle of Canada means loads of travel options
33 - minor sports, hockey, baseball, ringette, football, soccer and more - we got em all
32 - some of the most generous volunteers/donors anywhere in the world
31 - Ft. La Reine Museum
30 - 3 indoor ice surfaces 
29 - Rotary Pond Hockey championships
28 - vibrant Rotary Club
27 - welcoming to newcomers
26 - PCRC and all of their events
25 - Army and Navy, and Legion facilities are disappearing around Canada - not here!
24 - some of the best soil/growing conditions in the world
23 - Glesby Centre is another highly regarded facility
22 - the arts community is strong
21 - Prairie Players/Basement theatre - for all the actors/actress theatre buff's out there
20 - the old dump/toboggan hill
19 - Portage JYD biking and hiking trails
18 - Portageonline.com (we had to)
17 - Old time dances and great halls for socials
16 - lots of seniors services
15 - all kinds of fast food choices
14 - energetic car club/enthusiasts
13 - history/unique buildings
12 - small-town feel/big city amenities, close to a big city for what we don't have
11 - Canada Day fireworks are some of the best in the province
10 - Club snow and access to some awesome trails
9 - the free potato giveaway every year
8 - some new and awesome dining options
7 - job opportunities? check out localjobshop.ca
6 - awesome Christmas events/parade/holiday train
5 - new causeway over the lake looks amazing
4 - dedicated first responders and full-time departments
3 - not just 1, not 2 but 4, indoor places to waterslide plus Splash Island
2 - did we mention how amazing Island Park is? Go there. Take Pictures.
1 - YOU! Cause you make Portage awesome and read to the end of this list!