The Alberta Barrel Racing Association (ABRA) finals are returning to Ponoka this week.
The 2023 finals marked the 27th anniversary of the annual event that will see over a thousand of contestants, vendors and spectators flock to Ponoka for the seven-day event Aug. 21 to 27 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
According to Tamara Campanelli, ABRA public relations, there are about 1,300 registered barrels racers this year between the open, youth and peewee categories, up from last year as the event continues to grow.
There are also several new vendors for the trade show this year, which runs concurrently with the finals.
Finals action kicks off with the youth round starting at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 22, and peewees run at 5 p.m.
The trade show hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. all week and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For a sneak peek at some of the vendors at the trade show, check out ABRA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/albertabarrelracing.
For the schedule of events and the finals format, see albertabarrelracing.com.