For the second year in a row, the 2024 Ponoka Stampede tarp auction raked in a record-breaking total.
On Friday night at the Stagecoach Saloon on Ponoka Stampede grounds they auctioned off advertising space for 32 of the best drivers in the World Professional Chuckwagon Association pro tour. They also auctioned off four wildcard drivers and two wildcard wagons.
As a result, they set a record sale total of $576,500 which was $23,500 more than last year's record-setting amount of $553,000. The average bid was $15,361.11, with the lowest bid set at $7,000.00.
The evening's top bid went to St. Walburg Saskatchewan's Jamie Laboucane when his tarp was sold for $32,300 to Pidherney's followed by Chanse Vigen's in second place for $30,000 to Grind Energy Services.
In third place, both Wade Salmond and Kurt Bensmiller were tied at $28,000 when their tarps were sold to VJV Livestock Marketing Group and Versatile Energy Services Ltd.
Miss Ponoka Stampede 2024, Olivia MacLennan, was also officially crowned during the event.
Ponoka Stampede president Rick Wierzba said the auction is beneficial for everyone involved every year.
"It's all part of it. It helps the drivers, they get a share of the money and it helps us for the purse a bit too. It's really important to kick off the stampede season," he said.
"It's going to be great. Ticket sales have been really strong... Some performances in the grandstand are just about sold out already. It's awesome."
The Ponoka Stampede is less than two months away beginning on June 25 to July 1. It was also recently announced that the WPCA World Chuckwagon Finals will be held at Ponoka Stampede Grounds from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, 2024. A chuckwagon canvas auction will be held but the date and time have yet to be announced.
The WPCA season is also less than one month away with the world's best drivers set to hit the track in Grande Prairie from May 29 to June 2.
"Everyone is excited, I know I am."