Ponoka’s Community Fair, held at the Ponoka Ag Event Centre this year, was a well-run, popular event.
According to Home, Hobby and Horticulture Show co-ordinator Donna Rudd, youth entries where down but fruit and vegetable entries were up.
“It was more entries than last year,” Rudd said, referring to the overall participation.
There were also more quilts and newer techniques showcased.
In the front room, nine different demonstrations took place, including butter making, flower arranging and spinning.
Karen Douglass, secretary of the Ponoka Ag Society, said the demonstrations help to pass to younger generations the skills, knowledge and interest in activities such as spinning and butter making.
However, not everything ran as smoothly as hoped for.
“I think there were good things and bad things,” said president Sherry Gummow. This year the fair was held over one day and wasn’t as strung out but scheduling did overlap some of the events and activities.
Rudd said having the fair on two different floors was an obstacle the society hadn’t faced before.
The new location and set up was popular with those who attended, including international students from Japan on their first trip to Canada and the children who flocked to make hobby horses. That was an event especially popular, according to Gummow.
Another popular event was the non-pro ranch rodeo. Co-ordinator Craig Jacklin said there were 40 participants this year. “Overall it went really good.”
The team Rebels Without a Clue was the champion of the rodeo and teammates Wes Skeels, Lesley Armstrong, Mac Smith and Dean Flewell won embroidered vests from the Ponoka Ag Society and $2,000.
Jacklin said the society adds quirks to each event so they’re unique to Ponoka.
Rudd said the Ponoka Ag Society is considering opening up the fair to the broader community next year instead of just the connecting county.