Entertainment

The thrilling sport of rodeo has over the years attracted millions of avid fans and generations of all ages annually to indoor and outdoor venues in Canada, the United States and throughout the world. Thousands of gritty and multi-talented men and women have been given the exciting opportunity of being able to travel down the road and compete for huge prize purses and distinction. But do we ever pause to wonder where this wild and wonderful confrontation of man and beast really began?

Trick rider and stunt woman Niki Cammaert will be entertaining the crowd at the Ponoka Stampede with daring tricks and incredible stunts. Cammaert thoroughly enjoys rodeos and is excited to show her high-energy tricks at the Stampede.

More than 25 fun-filled rides and attractions will be at this year’s Ponoka Stampede. Most of the rides will be returning from past Stampedes to the grounds with the exception of the Spider. West Coast Amusements will be adding Starship 2000, a ride that gives the thrill of weightlessness. At 24 rpm the Starship 2000 uses centrifugal force to float riders off of the floor.

Juno award nominee Gord Bamford will be taking the stage at the Ponoka Stampede Beer Gardens on June 27 and 28. Bamford, who grew up in Lacombe, has attended the Ponoka Stampede many times and even was in the cabaret. He is excited to be performing close to home and looks forward to making it a fun time.

The Alberta Country Music Legends will be gracing the stage to entertain people of all ages with their musical talent and contagious fun-filled energy at the Ponoka Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on June 29.

Ken Grambo will once again be the featured artist for the Cowboy Church service in the Stampede grandstand the morning of June 29, starting about 8:30 a.m. along with the Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Alberta Cattleman’s Fellowship.

The Ponoka Stampede mile long parade will be taking to the streets on June 27 starting at 10 a.m. The parade starts at the Ponoka Recreation and Culture Complex and winds its way downtown. The whole town comes out to enjoy the many floats, bands (above), clowns and much more. This year the theme is Salute to Canada’s Armed Forces. There will be a military presence in the parade as they plan to have tanks and other military vehicles in the parade.

The gala 72nd annual Ponoka Stampede from June 25th to July 1st will proudly salute our nations dedicated armed forces. As well as the colourful theme of the June 27th 10 a.m. parade to honour our Canadian military of past and present, there will also be the annual march past of our local veterans and guests before the July 1 afternoon Canada Day performance in front of the grandstand.

The Ponoka Stampede Association executive are a dedicated group of volunteers who work all year to make the stampede the best it can be. The executive pictured right are; Dale Olsen, Rick Wierzba, Greg Gordon, Gary Harbin, Blair Vold, Frank Mickey, Blake Butterfield, Leslie Chernick, Don Hart, Terry Jones, Mike Stretch, Don Brennan, Greg Butterfield, Joe Dodds, Danny Jones and John Crawford.

The artistic side of the Ponoka Stampede will be showcased on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1 at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex. Approximately 35 artists from Saskatchewan, Bristish Columbia and Alberta including some local Ponoka artists will be publicly showing their art at the 16th annual art show and sale.