Southport celebrated 25 years with a barbecue and fireworks Wednesday.

CEO Peggy May says everything ran very smooth and they're very thankful to receive a Canada 150 Grant from the Community Foundation Of Portage And District. She says they decided to celebrate Canada Day a little later this year and pair it with their 25th Anniversary.

"The food tent was filled up, a good chunk of the beer gardens was used, and all the kids were enjoying all the free activities we had to offer them. It was great to have Portage MLA Ian Wishart and Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen out to our event. It's great they took some time out of their busy schedules to help us celebrate the event. It's certainly significant to our community, we're a big economic driver in the community and we really appreciate the support from the Federal and Provincial governments."

Wishart says he can still remember when the military packed up and left Southport, and he's impressed with how far they've come.

"Looking for a future with an abandoned air force base generally doesn't work out too well," says Wishart. "It's amazing how well Southport Aerospace has done, they continue to do well and add even more every year. I'm really pleased to work with them when I have the opportunity, and they're great for the community."

"Southport is vitally important," adds Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen. "Not just to this area but to the Country, and certainly to the province. In terms of the training that is done here for our Canadian men and women that are flying planes in the military, the jobs that are created, and the sense of community. This facility is run efficiently, it creates jobs, it is something that needs to be continued and that's why I'm here, to celebrate the 25 years as an accomplishment because that's what it is."

The night ended with a spectacular fireworks show.