Preparations are underway for another Home, Hobby and Horticultural Show set for Friday, Aug. 21 and 22 at the Ponoka Legion.
Hosted by the Ponoka Agricultural Society, the popular event will bring submissions of residents’ best vegetables, fruits, plants, photography, crafts and other items, explained president Lauraine Weir.
This year, organizers added different age classes within a division to give young children a chance to shine as well as seniors, an opportunity to show off their produce or other items.
“So that people aren’t competing all against one another,” explained Weir.
“The other thing that is new is metal works under crafts,” she added.
Welding artwork is something that can be seen at the entrance of farms with farm signs or other decorations and Weir said organizers wanted to recognize that craftiness. One thing she is most proud of is the effort it takes to get a submission in to the show.
Weir said people can tell whole stories on what they did to ensure their best pie or plant did not get ruined on the way. “I’m always in awe of the effort they make.”
She also credits the show organizers for their passion with home cooking and home grown produce as well as home sewing and crafts.
An “Old as Dirt” theme will be part of the displayed items at the show. Weir said organizers are looking for old items such as fair trophies and tools that have been used many times over the years.
Classes for kids
There are three classes planned for young kids on Aug. 22. The first is a hobby horse class starting at approximately 10 a.m., then a finger knitting class showing kids how to knit a scarf and in the afternoon a lefse – Norwegian bread – making class.
For full details, the 2015 fair book can be picked up at local businesses including Ponoka News or it can be downloaded from the ag society website at www.ponokaagsociety.ca.
Ag society hosts ATV safety course
The same weekend as the Home, Hobby and Horticultural Show the Ponoka Agricultural Society is also hosting an ATV safety course for kids aged six to 16.
“We’ve got room for 40 kids. We had kids on the waiting list last year,” explained Weir.
She says with so many kids on the farm using ATVs this course is vital to ensure safety awareness. The morning will start with safety tips and instructions when using an ATV and after lunch participants will be able to try out their new skills in smaller groups.
“When they do this course, they practice some of the things they talked about,” said Weir.
The event is set for Aug. 22 at the Ponoka Legion ball diamond and has a limit of 40 kids as each one will walk away with a new helmet.
The deadline to sign up is set for Wednesday, Aug. 12, however, and Weir says she can be contacted at dougweir@platinum.ca or 403-783-3713 or people can download a form at the ag society website.