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Please join us in celebrating the incredible life of Frank Mickey, December 1st at 2pm at the Ponoka Stampede Stagecoach Saloon.

Donations in honor of Frank Mickey can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Pro Rodeo Historical Society. ...

The rodeo community lost a legend this weekend as Ponoka Stampede Lifetime Member and Senator, Frank Mickey, passed away on November 22.

Frank began volunteering at the Ponoka Stampede in 1947 - and for the next 78 years he devoted immeasurable time and effort into building the Stampede into the world class event we know today.

Frank Mickey was born in 1927 and has spent most of his active life in the community of Ponoka, where he and his wife Margaret raised their two daughters, Janie and Wendy and have been blessed with four grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Frank, who worked with the Town of Ponoka Public Works Department from 1956-1988, 17 years as a foreman, joined the Ponoka Stampede Association in 1959. His many decades of dedication have included serving as president from 1966 to 1971 and from 1984-1985 as well as a Director, Grounds Chairman and Grounds Manager. Frank who is a lifetime member of the Ponoka Stampede Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association has also served as the President of the Stampede managers for 12 years, was on the CPRA board of directors for 20 years, the Dodge Rodeo rep from 1994-2000, the Central Alberta Rodeo Circuit president for eight years and he was on the CRPA board from 1999-2003.

He received ‘Man of the Year’ honors with the Ponoka Stampede Association and the CPRA in 1984 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the builders category in 2005. In his younger years Frank was an avid hockey fan and would faithfully serve from 1952-1960 as the trainer for the Ponoka Stampeders Senior Hockey Club. He has proudly overseen many changes and improvements to the Stampede Grounds and rodeo events over the years, including the amazing transformation from wood to steel of the grandstands, the chutes, the corrals, and buildings. Factors for ongoing successes have included the addition of the RV Park, Longscore Saloon, Tommy Dorchester Paddock, the Stagecoach Saloon, the rebuilding of the racetrack and the access tunnel, the Wild West Grandstand and Showdown Dance Hall.

More on our Facebook page. ...

Lest We Forget ❤️ ...

We’re thrilled to announce that our history vault is now open, and we’ve released a limited number of original Ponoka Stampede posters! Grab your very own piece of history for just **$50 each**. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting your collection, these limited edition posters are a must-have. Don’t miss out—secure yours today and celebrate the legacy of the Ponoka Stampede!

Shop now! Link in bio ⬆️

Free pick-up from the Ponoka Stampede Office is available- email the office at Stampede@ponokastampede.com Posters are 18x24.

Available posters: Rod Hay, Dallas Dorchester, John Dodds, Jake Vold, Harry Vold, Levi Simpson & Jeremy Buhler.

#stampede #poster #limitededition #prorodeo #rodeo #collectorsedition ...

Congratulations to all of our local Ponoka athletes on their Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifications 🇨🇦

Wishing all the athletes, our Queen, Stock Contractors and Officials a safe and successful CFR ❤️

We are PONOKA PROUD 🏆

#ponokastampede #prorodeo #rodeo #cfr

Thank you @kenzielabrie 📸 ...

Happy Birthday to one of the GREATEST to step in the arena 💪🏽

We love you @typrescott15

Wishing you the best 🎂

#bullfighting #bullfighter #rodeo #prorodeo #rodeo ...

Tearing up the track @wpcachucks

📸 @covymoore

#ponokastampede #stampede #chuckwagonracing #wpcachucks ...

Every run is serious business in the Ladies Barrel Racing ⏰

The money is in the milliseconds 💵💵💵

📸 @covymoore

#stampede #ponokastampede #prorodeo #alberta #barrelracing #ladiesbarrelracing #cowgirls #canada ...

The Outriders of the 89th Ponoka Stampede 🏇🏼

📸 @covymoore @billiejphoto

#ponokastampede #wpca #chuckwagonracing #outriders #jockeys #horseracing #stampede ...

The cowgirls of BREAKAWAY certainly put on a show at the 89th Ponoka Stampede 🧨

📸 @covymoore

#breakaway #ponokastampede #prorodeo #rodeo #cowgirls #breakawayroping ...

HALL OF FAME COWGIRLS 🏆

A moment for the Flying Duces at the 89th Ponoka Stampede!

Congrats to the 2025 Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees, The Flying Duces! The legendary Trick Riding Sister Duo, Joy and Jerri accepted their plaque amongst friends, family and fans at the 89th Ponoka Stampede.

One of the dynamic team members, 72-year-old Jerri Duce, performed at CFR50 last year, showing us all that age is just a number.

#halloffame #rodeo #prorodeo #trickriding #cowgirls ...

Hearts of Gold 🧡

Congratulations to our 2025 Errol McMillan Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients, Charlie and Bernie Walcheske.

Charlie and Bernie Walcheske exemplify the ideal volunteers—reliable, humble, and always eager to lend a hand. Whether rain or shine, they have consistently been present, ensuring that the Stampede remains a world-class event for both our community and visitors. Their decades of service reflect their deep-rooted love for the Stampede and the town of Ponoka.

For over 45 years, Charlie and Bernie have been integral to the volunteer community at the Ponoka Stampede. As lifelong residents and business owners, they have raised their three children—Terry, Wayne, and Colleen—in Ponoka and take great joy in hosting their eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Charlie recalls his first memory of the Stampede as a five-year-old who got lost at the event. He began volunteering by serving beer at the downtown beer gardens under director Ivan Lewis. Bernie soon joined him, and their journey as dedicated volunteers took off, leading them to the current grandstand, where they have been fixtures at gates 5 and 6 for the past 12 years.

Charlie expresses, “There are two times of the year I look forward to: Christmas and the Ponoka Stampede... our fellow grandstand volunteers are like extended family.” Their commitment to family and community drives their continued involvement. Bernie adds, “We’ve seen families and kids grow up coming back here year after year. We cherish the familiar faces and the stories of who got married or had a baby. It feels like family, and I can’t imagine not being here each year.”

Despite facing personal challenges and suggestions to slow down, Charlie and Bernie remain steadfast, never missing a shift or an opportunity to return to gates 5 and 6 for all Ponoka Stampede events.

Thank you, Charlie and Bernie, for your unwavering dedication and service to the Ponoka Stampede.

#volunteer #ponokastampede ...

MACY ✌🏼❤️ 🇨🇦

Thank you for all you do for the sport of rodeo.

We sure appreciated the extra time you invested in our Press Conference and CBC radio interviews this Stampede.

📸 @covymoore

#breakawayroping #rodeo #prorodeo #cowgirl ...

Role Models 🤍

Thank you @missponokastampede and @missrodeocanada for being the best ambassadors of the sport of Rodeo and our Western heritage.

#rodeo #rodeoqueen #rodeoroyalty #queen #royalty

Thank you T.J Kennedy for these beautiful photos ...

Cowboy Christmas Cards from Ponoka 🎅

We wish you a Merry Cowboy Christmas 🎄

See you at the 90th Ponoka Stampede June 25th- July 1st, 2025!

📸 @aswedgan

#ponokastampede #cowboy #cowboychristmas #merrychristmas #ponoka #canada #prorodeo #rodeo #stampede ...

Stampede Nights 🎞️🎞️🎞️

Thank you T.J Kennedy Photography 📸

#ponokastampede #concerts #countrymusic #ponoka #stampede ...

Mic Drop 🎤

A big Ponoka Stampede thank you to our voices and AV production team of the 89th Ponoka Stampede!

We appreciate the endless hours of research, preparation and scheduling to ensure on-time performances.

The BEST in the WILD WEST!

#ponokastampede #stampede #rodeo #alberta #canada #av #announcer #media ...

Here comes the men in black 🖤

A big thank you to our 2025 Ram Pick Up Men of the Ponoka Stampede. Tyler Thomson, Jason Resch, Tyler Kraft, Stran Schlosser and Jeff Resch.

Thank you for keeping our arena and athletes safe 🛟

Wishing you all a great summer ahead.

See you at the 90th Ponoka Stampede June 25- July 1st, 2025.

📸 @carlieborrisphotography @covymoore @billiejphoto

#pickupmen #ponokastampede #rodeo #prorodeo ...

Welcome to Canada 🇨🇦

First time to Ponoka but certainly not his first rodeo. @cole_reiner8 resume is filled with wins and accomplishments in Professional Rodeo and a top 10 finish in the world in 2024.

Cole finished eighth overall at the 89th Ponoka Stampede with two great rides and just missed the Showdown by 1.25 points.

Wishing Cole a great summer ahead and thanks for making the trip north.

The biggest checks before the fourth are in the NORTH 🇨🇦

#bareback #ponokastampede ...

SPURRED OUT $16,000 💵💵💵

Louisiana’s Kade Sonnier spurred out $16,000 in earnings at the 89th Ponoka Stampede!

#bareback #ponokastampede ...