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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.