Hello, friends! It’s me, BOB the rubber duck. I’m here to share a quacking good tale about one of the most renowned landmarks in Portage la Prairie. Yes, you guessed it, the world’s largest Coke can!
I had the pleasure of visiting this colossal creation on my recent road trip to meet family in rural Manitoba. Let me tell you, it was a splash of fun!
Standing tall at an impressive 85 feet, this magnificent can towers over the southwest corner of the parking lot at the Canad Inns hotel. Can you imagine being that big? It’s like the ultimate sponge for collecting memories.
Originally closer to the highway, it had to shift to its current spot when the Canadian Tire opened. This shift made space for all the bustling activity that followed the closure of Club West in 1999.
But what makes this towering landmark so special? The BOB sticker?
Well, it wasn’t always a Coke can! Originally a water tower built by Manitoba Iron Works Limited back in 1905. It was made for a water treatment plant in Winnipeg. If that isn’t a twist in the story, I don’t know what is!
Once painted with the iconic Coca-Cola logo, it became a unique sight. It shines bright and attracts travellers just like me.
While you might think this colossal can serves primarily as a bold advertisement for the Coke, it was created without any involvement from the Coca-Cola company . Now that’s a fun fact!
Interestingly, there were initial plans to paint it as a giant Budweiser can. The city thought that beer may be the wrong landmark so they altered course and decided to celebrate the refreshing drink we all know and love.
Roadside attractions like this are a fantastic reason to take a break during a long drive. They give you a little taste of local culture, some photo ops, and a chance to stretch your legs or wings. Just what I needed!
When you’re cruising along the highways in North America, give yourself a break and stop by these roadside wonders. They offer a quirky piece of history. Who knows, they may even bring a smile to your face like it did for me! Quack-tastic adventures await!
NEVER MISS A
