Cowboy Poetry is best described as people telling stories, some of life experiences, some renditions of the west, of days gone by, some told with sadness, some with humour, and some even choose to put their poetry to song according to Joan Parkin an executive administrative assistant with Almita in Ponoka.
Almita is an engineering company in the oil, gas, electrical, telecommunications industry and is hosting a Cowboy Poetry Event on April 18 at the Ponoka Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
“We wanted to be able to share another venue with the Ponoka community and with so much talent to draw on not just here in Ponoka but from all over Alberta,” said Parkin. “Almita is hoping that this event will become as successful as other major events in our town and will become a huge success with each year.”
Proceeds from the event will go to STARS Air Ambulance. Parkins thinks that STARS benefits a great deal of people in our community.
“We chose to give our proceeds to STARS Air Ambulance because it was something that everyone can identify with in a time of emergency,” she said. “To know that they are there for everyone, and hopefully our friends and families will never need their services, but if we do that they are they for us.”
She thinks that cowboy poetry is becoming more popular in Central Alberta and hopes that the event will get bigger and better in the future with the possibility of expanding it to a weekend.
The event will be filled with five different cowboy poets including two from Ponoka and two musical guests.
Ponoka will be represented by Bill Turner and Hazel Rust and will be joined by Sundre native Bryn Thiessen, Doris Daley and Staff Sgt. Robbie Robertson.
Turner is a rancher from west of Ponoka and when he is not out farming he likes to pick up his fiddle and give a tune and will always quote you a poem or two.
Rust is always entertaining and has a special way to deliver poetry, which she has done all her life. She recently finished recording her first CD and is working on another. She enjoys reciting poems all over town including at the local Farmer’s Market or the Legion.
The Runaways from Ponoka consist of Reg Rust, Fred Hiebert and Ronnie Rust and will play some music to get everyone out on the dance floor.
Also, singing at the event is Prairie Rose who also sang at the Ponoka Stampede Showcase in 2007. The duo is made up of two very talented and gifted sisters who have a passion for singing which shines through in their performances.
The show starts at 6 p.m. with a roast beef dinner with the entertainment to follow supper. For more information contact Parkins at 403-783-5800 or info@almita.com.