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Reumion to kick off stampede

Tradition, heritage and friendship are valuable aspects of the 72nd annual Ponoka Stampede. Those will be carried on at the Team Roping and Reunion on June 24 starting at 12 p.m. at the Stampede Grounds.

By Tiffany Williams

Editor

Tradition, heritage and friendship are valuable aspects of the 72nd annual Ponoka Stampede. Those will be carried on at the Team Roping and Reunion on June 24 starting at 12 p.m. at the Stampede Grounds.

This year the organizing committee is expecting 275 to 300 teams in three categories; 40 to 49 years old, 50 to 59 years old and 60 plus. Joyce Vold one of the organizers says that they get some veteran cowboys who are 60 plus and they compete in all categories. Also she says that last year they had some of the professional cowboys compete in the team rodeo reunion.

“A lot of them are guys who have rodeoed over the years and it is somewhere else for them to come back to. They get to see their buddies, have supper and a lot of them stay for the week to watch the rodeo,” said Vold.

The Ponoka Stampede Association sponsors the event adding $2,400 for prize money ($800 per group). In 2007 the total pay out was $16,000 in all categories plus championship buckles for each age group.

Vold says that it runs from 12 to 4 p.m. and the public are welcome to come and watch the roping for free at the Stampede Grounds.