Portage la Prairie will be well represented at this year’s Central Manitoba Tourism Awards gala.

Of the nine categories, Portage has nominees in seven of them.

Executive Director for Portage Regional Economic Development Vern May says it’s a huge positive for the area.

“It definitely is, and when you look at the nominations and who has been nominated and what they’ve been up over the past year, I think it’s very reflective of a community that has a very positive visibility to people that are outside the community.”

All winners at the gala being held in Morden on April 25th will be eligible for a provincial tourism award, and will have the support of CMT.

“So, looking at our slate of nominees this year, I think we’ve got some strong contenders regionally,” says May. “It would be exciting to see any one of those crossing the stage at the provincial awards in the fall for Manitoba tourism, so very exciting.”

Last year, Bill’s Sticky Fingers picked up a Business of Distinction Award, and went on to win the provincial Award of Distinction. Paul Shepherd and Annette Heal won the CMT award for Best Event With a Budget Under $5,000 for their Concert in the Park series.

This year’s nominees for Portage:

Dave Oshust (Volunteer of the Year)

Portage the Prairie Dirt Dash (Partnership Award)

Whoop & Hollar Folk Fest (Marketing Excellence)

Le Rideau Escape Room (Innovation Award)

Oscar May (Aspiring Youth)

Portage Exhibition (Award of Distinction -- Organization/Business)

Manitoba Air Show (Event of the Year -- Budget Over $5,000)

Tickets for this year’s event are $30 per individual, or $200 for a table of eight. You can book tickets by contacting Colleen Kyle at gm@centralmbtourism.ca.