Portage la Prairie will be once again partaking in the Communities in Bloom competition, but this time, it will be on a national level.

Portage Community Revitalization Corporation's community engagement coordinator Tara Brugger says the Communities in Bloom will send judges to Portage so they can look at the community as a whole. Cathie McFarlane, chairperson for Communities in Bloom, explains what the judges will be keeping an eye out for.

"There are different categories that they're judging us on," explains McFarlane. "One of which is landscape, which we've never had (judged) before. We're just really hoping that this is going to bring more national attention to the nice city of Portage la Prairie."

Last year's Communities in Bloom competition was forced to be held virtually, which meant pictures were sent to those judging. Not only are they coming to visit in person this year, but they're also going to take a tour around the city.

"We have two judges that are coming out on July 25th, so we're currently in the planning process of figuring out all the stops and where they're going to be going, but we have a few we're definitely going to hit, such as Island Park" explains Brugger. "So we're just in the planning process of (the tour)."

Portage Online will provide updates on Portage's Communities in Bloom efforts throughout the summer.

To learn more about Communities in Bloom, click here.