The humble early beginnings of the very active and long-standing Ponoka and District Agricultural Society goes all the way back to 1903 when a local group avidly interested in the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, home-making, and livestock got together to form our first society.
Their efforts over the past 114 colourful years have been both amazing and outstanding, as they have passionately carried on and expanded their proud missions and traditions to promote, support and encourage a wide and exciting range of agriculture opportunities and events in our urban and rural community.
It is hard to believe that their very first show in 1904 in the new Town of Ponoka was held in tents along the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks and featured the unique displays of the great skills and products of our community and district farm and ranching families, as well as a fun day of games for the children, entertainment, a circus act and much more. After several busy and successful years, the Agricultural Society would move up to the Ponoka Stampede grounds, where new barns, buildings and facilities were added and the gala two-day Fair would be held as a part of the annual two-day Ponoka Stampede.
Due to the avid and ongoing efforts and promotion of the Ponoka and District Agricultural Society and the amazing support and sponsorship from the citizens of the Town and County and surrounding areas, the 1921 edition of the County Fair was held in August and would annually host some 1,200 exciting exhibits along with the outstanding family events, and have just kept right on growing under the leadership and direction of several generations of dedicated members.
2017 show set for Aug. 11 & 12
Fast forward to this year, the Ponoka Agricultural Society will be hosting its 2017 Home, Hobby, and Horticultural Show on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11 and 12 at the Royal Canadian Legion where they will also be saluting the gala celebration of Canada 150 and the 100th anniversary of the 4-H movement in Alberta.
The various divisions of competition for all age groups from Juniors to Seniors will include: 4-H, Photography, Agriculture, Garden, Rural and Urban Landscaping and vegetable gardens, Horticulture, Arrangements and Houseplants, Vegetables, Fruits, Culinary, Art, Arts and Crafts, Quilting/quilts/rugs/ wall hanging, knitting and crocheting, Sewing, Special Needs and From Scratch Division.
Show entries will ONLY be accepted at the Ponoka Legion on Thursday, Aug. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m., and on Friday, Aug. 11 from 8 to 11 a.m. with all judging taking place on Aug. 11 at 12:30 p.m.
Admission to the public is free, with a unique chance to view all the amazing displays and skills on Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. (Legion is also open for supper from 5:30 to 7 p.m.) and on Aug. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with interactive sessions and Legion lunch available) followed by the awards ceremony from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
As well as supporting and sponsoring countless local clubs and events, the very active Ponoka Agricultural yearly event calendar also includes: Farming with horses in the spring, Reined Cow Horse May 12 to 14, Black Elk Cutting May 25 to 28, Reined Cow Horse July 7 to 9, Cowboy Challenge July 15 to 16, Ranch Rodeo in the fall, Aug. 20 community church service at the Complex Curling rink, Black Elk Cutting Sept. 6 to 10, Farming with horses in the fall, Chore Horse Competition Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, the annual general meeting on Dec. 4 and the popular on-going Open Ride. For more information on all PAS events, please visit their website at www.ponokaagsociety.ca.
Absolutely precious
Three old buddies out on the golf course. (1) ‘Its windy today’ … (2) ‘No, its Thursday’ … (3) ‘So am I, let’s go have a beer.’ Time to lotion up, take along some bug spray and then have a great week, all of you.