Centennial Park was full of children and families Friday, Aug. 28 with children’s activities, music and a movie to end the day.
Called Day in the Park by organizers, the event also saw a fun tug of war contest between the Town of Ponoka and Ponoka County with the town winning the challenge and Reeve Paul McLauchlin managing to get dunked in water.
The day also brought a pie-eating contest, again between the county and the town, and eventually by several youth volunteers who jumped at the opportunity to try to fill their tummies with pie.
Co-organizer and town Coun. Teri Underhill was “ecstatic” with the turnout. Many kids were rewarded with gift bags with candy and water and popcorn as they competed in games.
Underhill suggested if planners are willing to do the work to benefit the community, residents will show their support. Other groups including Family and Community Support Services, the Economic Development Board, the Ponoka Jubilee Library and the Ponoka and area Early Childhood Development Mapping Project volunteered their time to host games and support the day.
The Ponoka Girl Guides helped host various games for kids.
Coun. Carla Prediger said planners heard different feedback from residents and businesses over hosting the event on a Friday versus a Saturday. Despite those considerations, she was pleased to see people at Centennial Park.
She added that residents expressed their desire to see entertainment besides a focus solely on the Ponoka Stampede and the day was meant as a celebration of Ponoka.
The day ended with the movie Epic, which played in the park at approximately 8:45 p.m. Families brought out their blankets and lawn chairs and were able to eat popcorn and watch the movie under the stars.