“Farmers’ Market Extravaganza!”

The 5th Annual GPS Challenge takes participants on a fun tour of farmers’ markets across the Eastern, Winnipeg, Central, and Interlake regions of Manitoba. The event began June 4, 2011, with an exciting kick-off at the St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, featuring live entertainment, a taste of French-Canadian culture, and local Manitoba-made foods and products. In an attempt to follow the green movement as well as make use of cutting-edge technology, participants are able to download this year’s challenge guide which features 27 different farmers’ markets from our website. Then, with the help of a GPS, the adventure begins! The three month challenge is a great way for families and adventure-seekers to explore and experience different areas of our province while feeling welcomed by the vendors of the lively markets to enjoy the tastes of Manitoba and learn a bit about the products and services that can be found there.

This event is an excellent way to bring people out to areas they may not otherwise have visited. It helps to create awareness of different areas of Manitoba that have so much to offer. The challenge is building on the local food movement, which has become very popular in today’s society. For this reason, we have extended the length of this year’s challenge to a three month period. The challenge also provides a reason for participants to return to each of the locations after visiting.  Each market features a new question for each month of the event which can be answered by visiting different vendors found at each location. By taking part in the challenge and answering the questions, participants will be entered in a draw for one of four Sony Bloggie Touch Mobile HD Snap Cameras valued at $230 each, provided by Farmers’ Market Association of Manitoba. There will be one draw per participating region of the challenge. The more questions answered, the more entries in the draws participants will receive.

The market will come to an end with another exciting event at the St. Malo market on August 27, 2011. Participants will be able to wind up the challenge as they enjoy the lively French Canadian entertainment and culture.

The GPS Challenge began in Eastman 2006. Each year, we take an exciting new spin on different agritourism experiences that can be found in this area of province. The goal behind the challenges is to promote awareness of local products and services, and the agritourism experience. There are so many hidden treasures to visit in rural Manitoba with a vast array of activities at each. During the challenges, we have provided participants with several fun activities to take part in ranging from geocaching to a photography contest. It is a great way for friends and families to connect by getting out of the house to enjoy the great outdoors and all that our province has to offer.

By partnering for the first time with the Regional Tourism Networks in Eastman, Interlake and the Central regions, CDEM, Travel Manitoba and the Farmers’ Market Association of Manitoba  the 2011 GPS Challenge promises to be bigger and better.

To find out how to get started with this year’s challenge, visit www.mbagritourism.ca/gpschallenge, or contact us at gpschallenge.info@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon!