Organizers postpone Ponoka Stampede over 'uncertainty' around COVID-19 restrictions
The Ponoka Stampede is postponing this year's event – temporarily, for now – citing uncertainty navigating provincial COVID-19 restrictions.
"With the uncertainty surrounding the current pandemic related restrictions the Ponoka Stampede has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 Ponoka Stampede," the organization announced Wednesday evening.
"The Ponoka Stampede Board of Directors will be working with our key Stakeholders to establish possible later 2021 dates. Ticket holders will be contacted by mid June."
The 84th event was scheduled to run June 28-July 4 with a kick-off barbecue on June 22. It was postponed in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Although the Alberta government projects the province fully reopening by July, in time for big summer events, Ponoka Stampede organizers are not alone in their uncertainty.
Northlands officials in Edmonton announced on June 1 there would not be a K-Days 2021 event, a decision they said came from a "hard look" at whether they "could deliver a high-quality event given limited timelines and resources."
The province only entered the first of three stages of reopening on Tuesday by expanding outdoor gathering limits, retail capacity, and allowing outdoor patio dining and personal service appointments.
- READ MORE: 'Truly near the end': Alberta announces 3-stage reopening plan linked to vaccinations, hospitalizations
- READ MORE: Why some docs think Alberta's reopening should factor in second COVID-19 shots
- READ MORE: Small businesses proceed with 'cautious optimism' for Stage 1
If Alberta can keep hospitalizations below 500 – according to the latest data Wednesday, there were 435 Albertans in hospital with COVID-19 including 122 in ICUs – and hits a vaccination target of 60 per cent of those eligible, it will move to Stage 2 as soon as June 10. Under Stage 2, outdoor gatherings – including events like concerts and festivals – will be capped at 150 people, except grandstands will be limited to one third of seating capacity.
All restrictions – except isolation requirements for positive cases and some protections in continuing care and hospital settings – will be lifted in Stage 3, when 70 per cent of the eligible province has received at least one dose.
The government expects to reach Stage 3 by July, in time for Calgary Stampede July 9-18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.