A variety of free, family-friendly activities are available to enjoy in Ponoka on Family Day, Monday, Feb. 19.
There’s a lot of choices to get out and get active, from skating, tobogganing, and cross country skiing and a snowshoeing clinic, to swimming at the pool and activities at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
The Town of Ponoka is partnering with the ag event centre to host a day of free winter fun for all ages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including:
-a skijoring demonstration: Experience the thrill of skijoring, a unique winter sport where skiers are pulled by horses (weather permitting);
- bonfire: Warm up and relax around a welcoming bonfire;
- horse-drawn carriage rides;
- Hot chocolate;
- a bouncy castle, and
- Open ride in the large arena: A great opportunity for riders to enjoy the arena at no cost, and for spectators to enjoy watching the equestrian activities. Obstacles will be set up for an engaging riding experience.
Indoor and outdoor skating
Free public skating will be offered at the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54 Street) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the small ice on Family Day.
To help support the Ponoka Food Bank, the town will be accepting voluntary donations of non-perishable food items as admission to the event.
Citizens can also lace-up their skates or enjoy a winter walk on Family Day at the:
- Outdoor Rink (ODR) next to the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54 Street): Indoor change rooms can be accessed at the north end of the Ponoka Arena Complex from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Citizens can enjoy the ODR in the daytime and in the evening as the outdoor lights operate between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Festive Lights Walk at Lions Centennial Park (at Highway 2A and 54 Street): Come and experience the light display in the evening, as the trail winds below tens of thousands of festive lights strung throughout the park.
READ MORE: Ponoka ice sculpture display not returning this year
Swimming at the Ponoka Aquaplex
A free public swim will be offered at the Ponoka Aquaplex (5315 46 Avenue) from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The town will be accepting voluntary donations of non-perishable food items as admission to the event.
Other family fun events
Groups throughout the community are offering several other fun free activities for families on Family Day, including:
- Snowshoeing Clinic at the Ponoka Golf Club (3519 46 Street): The clinic will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Snowshoes and an instructor will be provided, compliments of First Ponoka Traditional Scouting.
- Cross-country ski trails and walking trails at the Ponoka Golf Club: The starting and finishing point is below the main parking lot near the member cart shed. When skiing or walking, citizens are asked to please stay on the trails at all times.
For more information, please contact the Ponoka Golf Club at 403-783-4626.
- Tobogganing at the Tom Hamilton Memorial Hill: Located in the southwest corner of Froman Industrial Park, behind Siding 14 Brewery on 36 Avenue.
- Explore and take a stroll along the walking trails in Ponoka’s Battle River Valley.
Win a Family Day prize pack
You can win a family-sized prize pack. To qualify, just post a photo on Facebook, X or Instagram of your family participating in a Family Day activity in Ponoka using the hashtag #TownofPonoka or by emailing your photo to events@ponoka.ca.
You will be automatically entered in the draw to win a family-sized Town of Ponoka swag prize pack.
To be entered in the draw, all photos must be posted to social media or emailed to events@ponoka.ca on Family Day, February 19.
The winner will be contacted on February 20. All participants will also be contacted by the Town of Ponoka for permission to use the photos that are submitted to promote the Town and its facilities.
