By Adam Eisenbarth
The Ponoka County Fair is growing every year and becoming a big-time event with fun for everyone. This year’s fair is fast approaching and will start on Friday, Aug. 7.
“The goal for the past three years has been to add attractions. It is getting bigger every year,” says Sherry Gummow, president of the Ponoka Agricultural Society.
“It used to be just a bench show. But now we’ve added the horse show, it’s now three years old. We’ve also added cattle sorting and new this year is the team roping.”
There’s plenty of things to keep the family busy at this year’s Ponoka County Fair with all sorts of events lined up by the agricultural society.
This will be the second year the event is held at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds.
“Obviously with the more events and attractions we can add, more people will come out,” says Sherry Gummow of the society.
Gummow says while there is plenty for the adults to do, it won’t be a challenge to keep the kids entertained either.
“We have all sorts of things for the kids to do. There will be the extreme bungee, gladiator jousting and a barrel train to ride on. Those are just some of the attractions.”
The action gets underway with the bench show on Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. followed by a community supper at 5 p.m.
The Something to Crow About trophy will once again be up for grabs as “celebrity” teams compete in a range of events from nail pounding to roping and rock picking.
On Saturday a pancake breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with proceeds going to the Run for the Cure event.
Antique truck and tractors will be around to check out all day and a petting zoo will be presented from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The kids can also get their faces painted and say hello to Rainbow the Clown.
“Rainbow the Clown is a big hit with the kids. He’s just great, the kids really love him,” says Gummow.
Some other events on Friday include the horse show, lawn tractor rodeo and bike rodeo and team roping.
Sunday will wrap up the busy weekend with team sorting at 9 a.m. followed by community church and pancake brunch. A gospel concert will be held at the curling rink at 10 a.m.