There should be quite a few candidates vying for the 2018 Stampede Queen crown.
Bruce Harbin, Ponoka Stampede Association vice-president, explained that while an official list won’t be known until April, it could prove to be a rather lengthy list of names.
“From what I have heard lately, it is sounding like there are a number of ladies interested in competing for the title of Miss Ponoka Stampede 2018,” he said.
“I’ve heard there could be as many as seven or eight, but no one will know for certain until after the application deadline.”
He added that there really has never been a lack of interest seeing as Ponoka is one of the high profile events on the rodeo circuit and there have been several Ponoka Stampede Queens that went on to be Miss Rodeo Canada.”
In order to compete, young ladies that are 18 to 23 years old need to submit an application to the committee by April 1 at 4 p.m. via fax (403-783-5858) or email: stampede@ponokastampede.com.
Among the characteristics and assets the committee will look at are: horsemanship, public speaking, some knowledge of rodeo, an outgoing personality and the ability to attend events and make appearances. Candidates will be vetted by members of the committee with the 2018 Queen being named in early May at the annual chuckwagon tarp auction.
“Shortly after the application deadline, applications will be looked at with interviews to follow,” Harbin noted.
“Then once the new queen is named, things really start to roll and before we all know it, it’s July 2 and everything is done for another year and you wonder where the time went.”
This year’s Ponoka Stampede runs from June 26 to July 2.