Near perfect weather rang in Canada Day in Portage la Prairie yesterday, and the area responded with a great turnout to the festivities at Island Park.

PRRA Recreation Manager Monica Chorney's pleased.

"We always get a lot of people coming out. We're very fortunate that we even get some draw from Winnipeg to come take advantage of this, because they use some of the other facilities on the island at the same time. So we're really showcasing Portage, and that it has to offer."

Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen was one of many dignitaries on hand for the opening ceremonies. She calls Canada Day a great start to the summer.

"People are in good spirits, people are hopeful about the future. We look around the world, we see some instability, we see some things going on, and Canada just remains stable and strong. And so, it's a great July 1st yet again here in 2016."

Here are pictures from yesterday.