# Ponoka

Ponoka is a town of 7,200 (2016) in the Central Corridor region of Alberta. Ponoka is an agricultural community in the scenic Battle River valley between Red Deer and Edmonton.

## Get in
### By plane

The nearest international airport is the Edmonton International Airport (YEG), 50 minutes to the north in Leduc.
* 52.6519-113.6041 Ponoka Industrial Airport (Labrie Field). Small airport for private aircraft. (updated Oct 2019)

### By car

Ponoka is on Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth II Highway), about 1 hour south of Edmonton and 40 minutes north of Red Deer.

## Get around

Ponoka has taxi service but no public transit.

## See

* Lions Centennial Park (Hwy 2A between 48 Ave & 53 Ave). A major park along the west side of Highway 2A. (updated Oct 2019)
** The Legacy. Self-proclaimed World's Largest Bucking Saddle Bronc And Rider. (updated Oct 2019)
** Fort Ostell Museum, 5320 54 St, ☏ +1 403-783-5224. May-Sept: M-F 10AM-5PM; Oct-May: Tu-Th 1-4PM. The museum's name comes from the original Fort Ostell that was built near Ponoka during the Riel Rebellion in 1885. The museum displays many local area pioneer and native artifacts and photos. It is also home to the "Alberta Mental Hospital Museum" collection (collection of artifacts and archived material from 1911 to present day). (updated Oct 2019)

## Do

* Ponoka Golf Club, 3519 46 St, ☏ +1 403-783-4626. Located in the Scenic Battle River valley, the 18-hole course offers a mix of parkland and rolling links- style holes. (updated Oct 2019)
* Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Morningside (10 minutes south of Ponoka near Morningside), toll-free: +1-866-783-6050. Scottish links style golf in the heartland of Alberta. Challenge yourself on the same fairways that hosted the world’s best young touring professionals for years at the Alberta Open. 27 hole course with an RV Resort on site. (updated Feb 2019)

### Events

* Ponoka Stampede, 5616 39 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-0100, stampede@ponokastampede.com. end of June and beginning of July to coincide with Canada Day (July 1) long weekend. The Ponoka Stampede is a 7-day rodeo plays host to rodeo competitors and fans from across Canada, the US and Australia. It features a midway and other activities and is among the five largest rodeos worldwide for payouts. (updated Oct 2019)

## Buy

* Downtown Ponoka. Small collection of specialty and niche shops. (updated Oct 2019)

## Eat

* Old Iron Horse Restaurant & Lounge, 6000 48 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-4766. M-Sa 11AM-11PM. Canadian (updated Oct 2019)
* Pizza D'oro Pizza & Pasta, #7 5103 48 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-4460. M-Th Sa 3-11PM; F 11AM-11PM; Su 4-10PM. (updated Oct 2019)
* Ranchers Castle, 2B-4213 Hwy 2A, ☏ +1 403-783-2579. Tu-Sa 7AM-9PM. Steakhouse (updated Oct 2019)
* Seasoning Pot, 5021 51 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-8788. M-F 11AM-8:30PM, Sa Su noon-8:30PM. Chinese (updated Oct 2019)

## Drink

* The Hitchin' Post Saloon & Grill, 4405 Hwy 2A, ☏ +1 403-783-3800. Su-F 9AM-11PM, Sa 9AM-3AM. (updated Oct 2019)

## Sleep

* Canalta Hotel, #1 6707 Hwy 53 (west side of Ponoka, just off Hwy 2), ☏ +1 403-704-1177. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Oct 2019)
* Dino's Motor Inn, 4405 Hwy 2A, ☏ +1 403-704-1300. (updated Oct 2019)
* Stampeder Inn, 4215 63 St, ☏ +1 403-783-5535, toll-free: +1-877-783-5533, manager@stampederinn.com. (updated Oct 2019)
* Western Budget, 4205 64 St, ☏ +1 403-783-8382, ponokamanager@westernbudget.ca. (updated Oct 2019)