Another year, another name and an even larger emphasis on honouring the rural and agricultural aspect of Ponoka County.
This year the Ponoka Agricultural Fair (formerly known as the Ponoka County Fair) will take place Aug. 9 and 10 at both the Calnash Ag Event Centre and the Ponoka Legion.
Ponoka Agricultural Society president Sherry Gummow says this year a number of new events are being added to the fair.
“One of the things the agricultural society, that we do in the community, is promote particularly farm safety,” she said.
In conjunction with the fair, the society is offering a six-hour long course on ATV safety.
Three lumberjack performances will also be included with the price of admission. After another member saw performances at an event they brought the idea back to Ponoka.
“We decided we were going to do something different,” said Gummow.
This year, after the yard and garden category got off to a rocky start with lagging entries and an extended deadline, the home, hobby and horticultural show is being held at the legion hall. A shuttle, in the form of heavy-horse wagon rides, will run between the legion and the Calnash Ag Event Centre during the Saturday leg of the fair.
Agility dog performances are returning to the fair and stock dog performances are also included this year.
Another crowd-pleaser set to return is the ranch rodeo. “A lot of people like the ranch rodeo because it’s local people, not the professional cowboys,” said Gummow. The ranch rodeo also runs Saturday, Aug. 10.
Every year the fair includes many activities for the children who attend. This can range from face painting, to hobby horse races to hula hoop contests.
Although the fair this year had increased difficulties attracting the vendors it normally does, Gummow says there will be models of large farm equipment present.
“It’s more of a community thing, it’s all about celebrating the rural community,” said Gummow.
“It’s the ag fair and that’s what we decided we’re going with,” she added. “The theme is tradition meets innovation.”
That evening, at the ag centre, a community supper is being hosted at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at Busted Ladies Lingerie or by calling 403-783-0730.