The Portage Ex will be celebrating 150 years in the community next month. The catch? They've been around for 151.

Past president Paul Trimble attended the Rotary Club of Portage la Prairie's meeting on June 6th to update the club on what activities are in the works for this year's celebration. He explains, once they were able to seriously begin planning for last year's event, which would've marked 150 years, it was too close to the event to schedule anything massive.

"We decided it would be best to do as much as we could for a regular fair," says Trimble. "We still had some bookings for the 2020 fair which was cancelled, so we used them up and planned for the 150 celebration on the 151st year."

He adds they're planning three full nights of entertainment on the mainstage, as well as magic shows, dinosaur play areas, a petting zoo, and more on top of the regularly scheduled programming.

One thing that Trimble is very excited to see return is the parade for the Portage Ex, which will be back after a 15-year absence.

"The organization started in 1872 with fairs in the area and they were really successful early on because it was a reason for the community to get together," says Trimble. "We still try to showcase that and bring families out for a good time. We get to see what other people are doing and showcase their talents."

Trimble hopes the Portage Ex can continue on for another 150 years. This year's Portage Ex will run from July 7-9.

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