The PortageX is celebrating its 145th year in 2017, and the fair board just held its annual general meeting this past Thursday night in Portage la Prairie in preparation. Past president Terry Simpson says 2016 was quite a good year.

(L-R) Terry Simpson and Wes Hannah"I was very happy the way things went in 2016 compared to the year before. The year before we had a disaster of a day with the big rain that came on the Saturday. This year we had a little bit of a rain, but we changed things around. You likely heard we moved the midway onto the blacktop of the PCU Centre grounds which was a benefit to all of us. It was a super way of doing it."

He adds they'd like to see as many young volunteers as they can as they move forward, adding the younger the better. He notes there are different things planned this year that could really use the help of some youth. Simpson says the 145th anniversary is a big deal and something you won't want to miss. He adds he urges you to stop in the office and talk to those present to learn how you can help.

Wes Hannah's incoming president and says they're looking for new members, and they hope to achieve that in 2017. He notes they also want to incorporate more of the community into the PortageX with plans in the works to accomplish it. Hannah adds the folks on the board are great to work, and he's proud to serve as president.