A couple of local organizations have the chance to shine in front of the entire province.

Travel Manitoba has selected finalists for each award, with Portage la Prairie getting some shine. The Whoop & Hollar Folk Festival has been named a finalist for Event of the Year, while the Skating on the Crescent Committee is a finalist for the Volunteer of the Year award.

Kellie Verwey, Tourism Coordinator with the Portage Regional Tourism Committee, is glad to see these groups recognized for their hard work.

"Both organizations are very prominent within our community," explains Verwey. "They do a lot toward promoting Portage as a region and bringing in people to do fun things. For them to finally get the nod from the province is a huge deal, and we're very proud."

She adds that it's great to see multiple groups from the city become finalists, as she says one organization can't be everything to everybody.
 Verwey says this isn't the first time Travel Manitoba has showcased Portage la Prairie or Whoop and Hollar.

"Whoop and Hollar have been nominated (in the past) for sure," says Verwey. "Bills Sticky Fingers was also recognized previously as well."

The Manitoba Tourism Awards will take place on April 17th.