Hundreds of farmers showed up to Country 93 and CFRY’s farmer appreciation lunch held in Portage la Prairie this past Thursday on the island at the MNP building.

It was the first time the event, which used to be held annually, was held in person since COVID-19 forced the world to stop spinning.

Among other prizes, St. Claudes Ron Theroux was the big afternoon winner, taking home the rights to a Grain Max 2,300 Hopper Bottom bin valued at over $28,000. 261 people entered the draw.

Theroux’s new bin can hold 2,300 bushels and is 14 feet in diameter, and the big winner even shared on Country 93’s morning show with Ryan Simpson that this wasn’t his family’s first time winning the event, as back in 2015, his wife won the contest.

Although Theroux had the luck of the draw on what was a rainy day, farmers from all over the Central Plains brought some sunshine to the event by enjoying free food (pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad) and great music.