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Ponoka Ag Society show maintaining its strength

Home, Hobby and Horticultural Show continues to see strong growth and variety in entries
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Jams and jellies were some of the creations presented to the judges and shown off in the culinary arts class.

Among one of the few remaining of a dying breed in Alberta, the Ponoka Agricultural Society’s annual showcase of local talent continues to buck the trend.

The organization’s annual Home, Hobby and Horticultural Show went Aug. 11 and 12 at the Ponoka Royal Canadian Legion auditorium and once again surpassed 1,100 entries across the more than 25 divisions, which include a number of classifications within them.

“The numbers are similar to last year and have been fairly constant in recent times,” explained Amanda Carleton, Ponoka Ag Society administrative assistant.

“We had more than 100 people submit entries and this show has been going for 114 years. We continue to see a great amount of diversity and variety, as well as the junior categories have seen a huge growth in recent years.”

The show added a pair of special categories this year — complete with special ribbons for the winners — to help celebrate Canada 150 and 100 years of 4-H in Alberta. One other new feature was a bus tour for some seniors to check out the entries in the yard and garden divisions.

“Along with those entries, we saw growth in the art and photography categories,” she said.

“I’m always blown away by the quality and calibre of the entries. Shows like this help the community keep its history and helps people appreciate agriculture and acts as a showcase of the rural lifestyle, especially since a lot of people no longer live in rural areas.”

Carleton added it is the spirit of the volunteers in the society that ensures the show can remain operating, something she described as a “labour of love for our volunteers.”

“Our goal is always for next year to be bigger and better,” she said, noting that anyone who wants to get involved with the show can either call (403) 783-1302 or visit www.ponokaagsociety.ca to get more information.

The big winners of the show were:

Best of Division: 4-H Div. 1 — Brooklynn Olson; 4-H Div. 2 — Jan Sokwaypnace; Agriculture — Kathleen McKelvie; Jr. Ag Div. 1 — Priscilla Kramer; Jr. Ag Div. 2 — Jessica Kramer; Jr. Div. 1 — Mylah Rispens; Jr. Div. 2 — Madison Kramer; Horticulture — Gail Davies; Arrangements & Houseplants —Maria Remyn; Vegetable — Nellie Bos; Fruit — Fred Broska; Culinary Arts — Katie Von Tiesenhausen; Art — John Courser; Arts & Crafts Div. 1 —Alma Sheppard; Arts & Crafts Div. 2 seniors — Elizabeth Ostergaard; Quilting, Quilts, Rugs & Wall Hangings Div. 1 — Janice Clark; Quilting, Quilts, Rugs & Wall Hangings Div. 2 seniors — Irene Rausch; Knitting & Crocheting Div. 1 — Sheila Sande; Knitting & Crocheting Div. 2 seniors — Donna Rudd; Sewing Div. 1 — Hiltja Kramer; Sewing Div. 2 seniors — Irene Rausch; Special Needs — Ashley Czajkowski; From Scratch — Donna Rudd.

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With so many entries this year, there were a couple of special tables set up to display the Best of Division winners at the annual Home, Hobby and Horticultural Show at the Ponoka Legion Aug. 11 and 12. Photos by Jordie Dwyer
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Agriculture has been always been a hallmark of the Home, Hobby and Horticultural Show and this year was no different with some rather large vegetables getting a lot of attention Aug. 11 and 12 at the Ponoka Legion. Photo by Jordie Dwyer