Southwestern Manitoba sent four nominees to the Tribute to Tourism gala Wednesday night in Brandon, and two of them came back with awards that testify to their contributions to tourism in the Virden area.
The Costume Closet of Virden won in the category of Volunteer of the Year, for its hard-working and dedicated core group of volunteers who organize and update the costumes, rent them to performance groups and individuals, and manage the shop. Bette Scott, Hazel Lamont, Glenda Clarke, and Fran Bayliss accepted the award at the event held at the Prairie Firehouse in Brandon.
The RM of Pipestone and Town of Reston won in the Partnership category for working as a team to create the region’s new recreation area. Guided by the RM’s economic development officer Tanis Chalmers, the partnership has in very short order developed a destination centre in Reston: golf course, spray park, water slide, full service campground, and a lake with sand beach, the latter scheduled to open June 15.
Also nominated were the Virden Lions for Service Excellence and Samantha Cluett of Elkhorn for Aspiring Youth. You can see the full list of winners below chosen from 24 nominees. They will go on to compete at the provincial level.
Another highlight of the awards event was a comedic horn performance led by emcee Mark Humphries, band leader and owner of Westwood Ranch and Garden Centre of Kola, with horn solos by Liza Park, the economic development manager for the Town of Virden.
That video and more photos can be seen on the Virden Empire-Advance’s Facebook page.
Category award winners:
Volunteer of the Year - The Costume Closet Volunteers, Virden
Partnership - RM of Pipestone Recreation Development Area, Reston
Marketing Excellence - Chantelle Parrott, Valley Life Place Brand
Service Excellence – Prairie Firehouse
Aspiring Youth - Maddy Grant, Minnedosa
Event of the Year - Tim Hortons Brier, Brandon
Indigenous Tourism - National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, Brandon
