(rdnewsNOW/ file photo)

By Ian Gustafson

Rodeo starts tonight

89th annual Ponoka Stampede begins Wednesday

Jun 25, 2025 | 9:49 AM

Wednesday marks the official kick off to the 89th annual Ponoka Stampede with seven days worth of professional rodeo action and six days of the World Chuckwagon Finals.

The West Coast Amusements Midway also opens today with rides and much more to enjoy. The main stage will also feature live performances from artists including Jake Worthington, Mark Chesnutt, and Dean Brody throughout the week. On Friday the annual parade will begin at 10 a.m.

The Professional Pro Rodeo and the Stampede wrap up on July 1 with the rodeo finals which will feature the top athletes in the sport from across Canada and internationally.

This includes athletes competing in bareback, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie down roping, breakaway roping, and team roping.

On Canada Day the top 12 athletes from each event will compete in the 1 p.m. rodeo for a chance to be one of the top four from each event to compete in the finals at 6:30 p.m. In the evening rodeo, they’ll faceoff in hopes of winning a stampede championship title.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

18h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

That same day, there will also be the All-Pro Canadian Chuckwagons $10,000 Dash for Cash and the World Professional Chuckwagons Tommy Dorchester $75,000 Dash for Cash.

For a full schedule, check out the Ponoka Stampede website.