By Carson Ellis
For Ponoka News
The Ponoka Stampede has introduced a new contest to their event this year.
Media liaison for the Stampede Jeff Heyden-Kaye says that the Ponoka Stampede Western Art Competition has been created as a way to help get kids and their families involved in the Stampede.
The competition is open for Grades 1 to 12, and will be taking submissions from schools in Ponoka, Lacombe, Bashaw and Camrose.
The submitted works will focus on western heritage. Two winners from each grade will be chosen as finalists and will either receive a day pass for unlimited rides at the midway, or ride in the Stampede Fan Wagon in front of thousands of fans.
The passes are provided by the competition’s sponsor, West Coast Amusements, which provides the midway for the Stampede.
In addition to the prizes, the winning works of art of the two finalists from each grade will be displayed on all of the Stampede’s social media pages. They will also be available to be viewed during the Western Art and Gift Show at the Ponoka Arena Complex.
There, the winning pieces will be on display amongst the vendors, and able to be seen by those who come through the show, which runs from June 29 until July 2.
Heyden-Kaye says that many people know about the Ponoka Stampede, which is the highest paying pro-rodeo in Western Canada.
He notes that many of the countless volunteers who make the yearly tradition possible come from around the world, even mentioning a gentleman from England who comes to Ponoka every year to volunteer during the Stampede for his vacation.
Many community groups do a large portion of their yearly fundraising at the rodeo through things like 50/50 draws and other opportunities.
When asked about the thinking behind the new event, Heyden-Kaye said the organizers are always looking for new ways to reach out to the surrounding community and their many partners.
They want the competition to not only celebrate western heritage and way of life, but to celebrate the kids in the community, he said.
They feel that there is a great deal of talent out there, and hope this gives kids a chance to express themselves.
“Even if their work isn’t picked, we want the kids to know they are still valued.”
Heyden-Kaye says it’s a great feeling when you can get kids involved and interested in things. He feels the competition is important because the rodeo really is a family experience, and this is one way they want to help promote that feeling.
ARtwork submission must be a drawing or painting, created in any medium. The artwork must be 11 inches by 14 inches.
Submissions will be picked up from local-area schools on May 1.
More information can be found about the competition on the Ponoka Stampede website under “Art Competition.”