Family Day in Ponoka

Family Day in Ponoka offered many activities for the whole family to enjoy on Monday, February 19, , including skating, swimming, a snowshoeing clinic, a variety of fun, family-friendly activities at the Calnash Ag Event Centre (3611 Highway 2A), tobogganing, and cross-country skiing. 

2024 Family Day Activities:

Calnash Ag Event Centre Family Day Activities

The Town of Ponoka partnered with the Calnash Ag Event Centre to host a day brimming with free family-friendly activities and winter fun for all ages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including:

• Skijoring Demonstration: Experience the thrill of skijoring, a unique winter sport where skiers are pulled by horses (weather permitting);
• Bonfire: Warm up and relax around a welcoming bonfire;
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides;
• Hot Chocolate;
• Bouncy Castle;
• Open Ride in the Large Arena: A great opportunity for riders to enjoy the arena at no cost, and for spectators to enjoy watching the equestrian activities. Obstacles will be set up for an engaging riding experience. 

Indoor and Outdoor Skating

Free public skating was offered at the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54 Street) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the small ice on Family Day. To help support the Ponoka Food Bank, the Town accepted voluntary donations of non-perishable food items as admission to the event.

Citizens can also laced-up their skates or enjoyed a winter walk on Family Day at the:

• Outdoor Rink (ODR) next to the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54 Street): Citizens enjoyed the ODR in the daytime and in the evening as the outdoor lights operate between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
• Festive Lights Walk at Lions Centennial Park (at Highway 2A and 54 Street): Citizens experienced the light display in the evening, as the trail winds below tens of thousands of festive lights strung throughout the park.

Swimming at the Ponoka Aquaplex

A free public swim was offered at the Ponoka Aquaplex (5315 46 Avenue) from 1:30 to 4 p.m. To help support the Ponoka Food Bank, the Town of Ponoka accepted voluntary donations of non-perishable food items as admission to the event.

Other Family Fun Events

Groups throughout the community offered several other fun free activities for families on Family Day, including:

• Snowshoeing Clinic at the Ponoka Golf Club (3519 46 Street): The clinic was held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Snowshoes and an instructor were provided, compliments of First Ponoka Traditional Scouting. 
• Cross-country ski trails and walking trails at the Ponoka Golf Club: 
• Tobogganing at the Tom Hamilton Memorial Hill: Located in the southwest corner of Froman Industrial Park, behind Siding 14 Brewery on 36 Avenue.
• Explore and take a stroll along the walking trails in Ponoka’s Battle River Valley.

Watch for details about the 2025 Family Day Activities and Events.