Entertainment

Shane Yellowbird was all smiles as he performed on June 26 at the Ponoka Stampede.

George Canyon entertained the crowds at the big concert on June 26.

Enjoying a lazy summer day is something that Shane Yellowbird likes doing and singing about. Yellowbird who grew up in Hobbema and attended school in Ponoka is in town this week to perform at the Ponoka Stampede on June 26.

Ponoka has a long and strong history of cowboys and cowgirls winning big at the Ponoka Stampede. Here are a few profiles of the many competitors who will be going for the big money at the Ponoka Stampede.

The excitement of the Ponoka Stampede can work up some huge appetites and Ponoka is there to satisfy the stomach by providing four free pancake breakfasts during the event. The Ponoka News will hold their pancake breakfast in front of the Ponoka News on Chipman Ave. and will be running from 8 to 11 a.m on June 25. On June 28 a breakfast will be held at the Ponoka Town Centre from 8 to 11 a.m.

Rolling on barrels, walking on stilts and telling jokes are just a few of the many tricks up the sleeves of rodeo clown CrAsh Cooper. Cooper is one of the most entertaining and popular rodeo entertainers in North America. He has been named Canada’s Entertainer of the Year three times and has performed at many finals in the United States.

The chuckwagon drivers and outriders are preparing to round the corners of the track at the Ponoka Stampede. The Stampede will feature six nights of World Professional Chuckwagon Association races starting on June 26 and finishing with the $50,000 Tommy Dorchester Dash for cash on July 1 to crown the big winner.

The 72nd annual Ponoka Stampede is the largest professional rodeo in all of Canada and is also the best show in the country. In 2007, 2006 and 2001 Ponoka was named the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association largest committee of the year. In 2007 they were also named the World Professional Chuckwagaon Association committee of the year.

Ponoka Stampede Association president Blake Butterfield was presented with a plaque for being the largest Canadian Professional Rodeo committee of the year. The presentation was made at the 2007 Canadian Rodeo Finals in Edmonton. It was the second year in a row that Ponoka was bestowed the honour.

Popular western band Hey Romeo will be ripping up the stage at the Longscore Saloon at the Ponoka Stampede for a three night performance on June 26, 29 and 30. Singer Stacie Roper, keyboardist Rob Shapiro and guitarist Darren Gusnowsky are the talented members of Hey Romeo and the band is very excited to be performing at the Stampede.