By Sheldon Spackman

Ponoka Stampede celebrating 2019 Canada Winter Games, new facilities

May 25, 2018 | 5:48 PM

With the 82nd Annual Ponoka Stampede just one month away, central Alberta rodeo goers can expect to enjoy another great event in 2018.

This year’s parade will include a 2019 Canada Winter Games theme and feature Canadian Olympic speed skating gold medalist Catriona Le May Doan as the parade marshal.

Ponoka Stampede President Blair Vold says he’s excited about Le May Doan being part of this year’s parade.

“We’re saluting the Canada Winter Games coming to Red Deer next year, so being an Olympic medalist, the combination and timing works well for us to have her as our parade marshal,” says Vold. “For us to showcase western and heritage rodeo to a new audience and people from across Canada coming to Alberta, we pride ourselves on rodeo and chuckwagon racing, so this will give a new twist to maybe showcase our heritage.”

Vold adds the Ponoka Stampede has evolved into one of the top richest rodeos in North America, currently ranked number five in the world and number one in Canada as a CPRA sanctioned rodeo.

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“With the prize money we put up, we do attract the top cowboys from all over the world and with the chuckwagon prize money, we’ve got some new chuckwagon drivers coming,” explains Vold. “If you want to see the best cowboys and the best chuckwagon racing, you have to see it in Ponoka. It’s one of the few rodeos that does get all the top contestants and top stock, so very high-end entertainment.”

Vold says there’s even more excitement when it comes to upgrading Stampede facilities.

“As I speak we’re paving our whole midway on the hill which is a big project,” he notes. “Our midway will be all under pavement now and that’s been long overdue. Our other big project coming and it won’t start until right after the rodeo is our new 16 luxury suites on the south end of the grandstand in the infield for corporate sponsors.”

Vold says that will bring more seating with seats up above as well for a thousand people, plus a roof-top bar that overlooks not only the stampede grounds but the entire town of Ponoka.

“I’m very excited about that. It brings more sponsors to our show, we’ve had lots of sponsors wanting to purchase suites. It brings more prize money and more money to the rodeo and chuckwagon world.”

Despite the upcoming changes to the Stampede grounds, Vold says prices will remain the same.

“It’s just adding more venues and more entertainment value for the corporate sponsors to enjoy the rodeo in a suite atmosphere with all the amenities,” he explains. “Right now, we’re at about eight thousand – full and this will bring us up to over 10,000 for the one-time sitting. So we should boost our attendance for the week to close to 100,000, so it’s a big event for a small town of 7,000 people.”

When the grandstand expansion gets completed later this year, Vold says their facility will be one of the few spots in the world able to accommodate that many people for an outdoor rodeo.

In the meantime, Vold anticipates a successful Stampede this year with all the usual rodeo events set to take place, including chuckwagon racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc, team roping, ladies barrel racing, bull riding, steer wrestling, novice saddle and bareback, boys steer riding, kids wild pony racing, pro rodeo, tie down roping and rodeo acts.

Musical entertainment includes the Road Hammers on opening night June 26 and Trace Adkins June 28.

Other highlights include a Free Dodge Truck Giveaway on June 26, Seniors Day June 27 and the parade itself on Kids Day June 29.

Rodeo goers will also be able to enjoy midway rides from West Coast Amusements and fireworks and beer gardens among other festivities.

The 2018 Ponoka Stampede runs June 26 – July 2.

For more information, visit ponokastampede.com.