Thirty-six of the world's top chuckwagon drivers will descend on Ponoka tomorrow night, Friday, May 2, for a chance to secure top dollar prices for their tarps at the 2025 Ponoka Stampede.
The Ponoka Stampede's 2025 WPCA Tarp Sale kicks off with a reception at 5 p.m. and the auction starting at 6:15 p.m., at the Stagecoach Saloon at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds.
"We also have a a few other exciting things happening at the Tarp Auction this year," said Ponoka Stampede sponsorship director Danny Jones.
Half way through the auction, a framed print number 1/50 of the limited edition posters for this year's Stampede will be auctioned off.
After the auction, the Cattle Raffle early bird draw will take place.
Miss Ponoka Stampede 2025 Kyla Lightfoot will also be crowned during the tarp sale, marking the official start of her reign.
The auction will be broadcast live at clauction.com and coordinated in person at the Stagecoach Saloon. Those unable to attend the sale can also bid online at vjv.agribidder.ca/inventory.
The bidding will open with driver Luke Tournier, followed by Chanse Vigen and Jason Glass.
Tournier was the 2024 Ponoka Stampede Tommy Dorchester Dash for Cash winner, earning the $75,000 prize after an upset when Vigen hit a barrel at the start of his run, incurring a five-second penalty, dropping him to last place in the championship heat.
In the previous two years, the Ponoka Stampede tarp auction had record-breaking totals, with a sale total of $576,500 in 2024 and $553,000 in 2023.
In 2024, the evening’s top bid went to St. Walburg Saskatchewan’s Jamie Laboucane for $32,300 followed by Vigen’s in second place for $30,000.
The unofficial start to the 2025 WPCA Pro Tour took place at the Grande Prairie Stompede Tarp Auction Gala on April 5. In that sale, 44 tarps were auctioned off, "eclipsing a new record total of $853,000," the WPCA said.
Vern Nolin, returning after a two year absence, received the high bid of $55,000.
For more information, or to register for the Ponoka Stampede tarp sale, visit ponokastampede.com/get-involved/chuckwagon-tarp-auction.
