Ponoka's biggest annual event a big boost to local businesses

The Ponoka Stampede also impacts multiple service organizations

The population of Ponoka is about to multiply many times over as crowds gather for the 88th annual Ponoka Stampede.  Thousands of fans are expected to attend the rodeo, midway, concerts and chuck wagon races. The huge influx of visitors is good news for businesses according to the president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Sherry Gummow.

"I remember one of the liquor stores telling me that the profit for the year comes during the Stampede. You know, the bills are paid and all those kinds of things during the rest of the year, the profits that they make is during that Stampede time."

Local businesses aren't the only ones who will benefit when the Ponoka Stampede gets underway next week.  Gummow noted the event is also important to local service groups who sell the 50-50 tickets in the stands, run concessions and clean up after the crowds have gone home.

"Whether it's our youth center or it's our swim club or it's our 4H or whoever benefits it, it gets spread throughout the year and the businesses like myself, you know, we're able to keep our doors open and keep our employees going and provide a service to our customers."

The Stampede starts Tuesday with the Midway opening in the late afternoon and then an evening rodeo performance followed by the Gord Bamford concert.