If one was to turn back the clock to the bustling new Town of Ponoka in the roaring 20s, you would likely see horses and wagons moving along the dirt streets, folks strolling up and down the wooden sidewalks next to the many friendly businesses, a noisy steam train rolling past the massive grain elevators and into the CPR station, and maybe even a gala summer fair being hosted on Chipman Avenue. These fairs were under the direction of the Ponoka Agricultural Society, who would eventually move the popular family fun events up to the present day location of our annual Ponoka Stampede.
Early accounts of the fairs included fun events such as horse and wagon races, games of chance, Indian races, carnival rides, bronc busting, all sorts of food vendors, and of course a gala parade to kick the one day attraction. The Ponoka Sports Association was formed around 1920, and as activities continued up on the grounds people pleasing amenities such as a wooden covered grandstand, barns, and buildings were added to the spacious grounds. That same year a rip-roaring stampede event was hosted as a fundraiser for the Ponoka Women’s Rest Room Association, which was very successful, and would be the humble beginnings for the organization and planning of the annual Ponoka Stampede on a hot weekend at the end of June.
A proud and colourful 80-year rodeo history
The first official Ponoka Stampede was held in 1936 and local rodeo legend George McKeddie, a WW1 veteran and 1922 Alberta Bronc Busting Champion was the first manager of the thrilling day-long family event that attracted hundreds of fans from town and districts onto the same grounds where it is still being hosted 80 years later. By 1938, the attendance had zoomed to over 6000, and while the action slowed down a little over the war years, it took off again in the mid-40s as tough new rodeo stars emerged, the thrills and spills of chuckwagon racing hit the dusty track, and many more exciting events and attractions were added to please the avid fans.
Some of the early ‘rodeo legends’ from in and around the Ponoka district included Tim and Bud Davidson, the Doran boys, Ray Graham, Ray Tompkins, Tommy Dorchester, Cliff/ Everett and Bill Vold, Harold Skaley, and countless others. Their riding and roping skills were honed on the local ranches as well as at the Ferrybank, Chesterwold, and Buck Lake Stampedes but one of the biggest thrills was the opportunity to ride in the hometown Ponoka Stampede. To take part in other rodeo events around the country these hardy cowboys often hitched a ride, or rode their own horse many miles for the chance to compete for a few bucks, a trophy, or a ribbon. Going into the 50s, prize money in the five major events of the now two-day Ponoka Stampede had reached $400, Harry Vold was bringing in the best and rankest stock available, new bleachers were added in 1952, and in 1955 the Ponoka Stampede Association proudly supported the 50th anniversary of the Town of Ponoka. All records were broken in 1956 when 10,000 fans attended the two-day event to cheer on 90 of the nation’s top rodeo stars and the first Stampede Queen was crowned, and then in 1959, 28,000 spectators took in the extended rodeo show-down, jamming into the new grandstands and facilities, and would always have a very special cheer for local rodeo stars such as the Butterfield boys, the Dodds family, the Volds, and many others that would toss their hats into the ring along the way.
As the Ponoka Stampede Association proudly prepares to host their 80th celebration from June 27th to July 3, 2016, their colorful June 30 10 a.m. parade theme will honour eight exciting decades of Stampede Legends. It will be another great opportunity for the thousands of family fans to enjoy the thrilling rodeo and wagon-racing action as well as the midway, entertainment, and so many other attractions. Along the way, we can look back and salute the sons and daughters and families of those early heroes who have so proudly carried on the Ponoka Stampede traditions as participants, contractors, avid promoters, association members, and always willing volunteers, fans, and supportive community.
Through our Reflections and Remember When features in the Ponoka News, we will strive to share some of the countless memories from eight exciting decades of our Ponoka Stampede. For those who may have some of these great old photos and stories, we would love to feature them in our Ponoka News history section over the next month or so. Please bring them into the Ponoka News office to be scanned, or kindly email them to Mike Rainone at jrainone@telus.net or give me a call at 403-341-5750.