THINGS TO DO

No matter what the weather, we have sports and activities for all seasons.

  • Ponoka Community Golf Club: Par 72, 18-hole golf course with driving range, carts, pro shop and restaurant. Phone: 403-783-4626.
  • Wolf Creek Golf Resort: Five minutes South of Hillside Country House, this challenging 27 hole golf course was created in a traditional links style. Book tee times well in advance. Phone toll free: 1-866-783-6050. www.wolfcreekgolf.com
  • Excellent golfing nearby in Lacombe, Wetaskiwin, and Red Deer.
  • Ponoka Stampede: This professional week-long rodeo attracts participants from across the continent and is Alberta's second largest outdoor rodeo and chuckwagon event. The entire community is hopping with western fun and excitement June 25 - July 1, 2009.
  • Calgary Stampede: July 3-12, 2009. From rides, to pancakes, horses to light shows, rodeos to stage shows, chuckwagons to displays of Alberta Agriculture, top name acts on the Coke Stage, the Calgary Stampede has it all. So put on your western duds, whether they are a bit dusty or the latest in cowboy fashion, and head on down to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!
  • Red Deer Westerner Days Fair and Exposition: Six days of attractions and entertainment in July.
  • Edmonton’s Klondike Days Exposition: July. Fun for everyone! Enjoy awesome midway rides, an exciting entertainment lineup, action packed chuckwagon races, thrilling feature attractions, an exotic feature country showcase and much more. Over 750,000 guests visit Canada’s fourth largest fair to experience ten days of action packed fun!
  • Ponoka County Fair and Horse Show: The County Fair features agricultural displays, contests for produce, arts and crafts, and baked goods. Other hi-lights include a horse show, cattle sorting, various entertainment, and a Farmers Market. August 7-9, 2009.
  • Fort Ostell Museum: Fort Ostell was established by Captain J. Ostell in 1885 for the protection of local settlers during the Riel Rebellion. A pioneer museum housing artifacts and memorabilia of the Ponoka area.
  • Ponoka Cowboy Museum: Old-time country and western displays. On Highway 53 at the campground, this site is also the location for the David Thompson Country Tourist Information Centre.
  • Reynold's Provincial Museum: Wetaskiwin
  • Farmer's Market: Wednesday's
  • Lakes and provincial and national parks abound within minutes or two hours from Ponoka. Nearby are Gull Lake, Pigeon Lake, Pine Lake, and Sylvan Lake.
  • Black Elk Hockey School (Ponoka): August 16-24, 2009.
  • Hiking/bird watching: J.J. Collett Nature Reserve is minutes from Hillside Country House. Ask for a walking stick, field glasses, bird guide and a picnic lunch.
  • Lacombe Corn Maze: Challenge your wits at a 10 acre corn maze three miles West of Lacombe and discover why getting lost means finding fun! Open days and evenings. Picnic area, fire pits, play area, mini mazes, goat walk, bale mountain, corn box, barrel train and much more. Phone: 403-782-4653. www.cornfieldmaze.com
  • Shopping: There’s no provincial sales tax in Alberta. Hillside Country House even has a shopping spree vacation package devoted to shopaholics! Call for details. (430)783-6996.
  • Skiing:
    • Canyon Ski Area, Red Deer: Open November to March.
    • Medicine Lodge Ski Area, Bentley
    • Rabbit Hill Ski Area, Edmonton

Day trips for mountain skiing are also possible.

CHURCHES:

Asker Lutheran Church: East on Highway 53 to Asker Road, then 1 mile north; 403-783-2229
Church of the Open Bible: 3708-42 Street; 403-783-6500
First Baptist Church: 5109-57 Avenue; 403-783-5533
Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall: 6311-51 Street; 403-783-5622
Sonrise Christian Reformed Church: Box 4354, Ponoka T4J 1R7; 403-783-6012
Meadowbrook Church: RR#3 Lacombe; 403-782-5691
Ponoka Alliance Church: 4215-46 Street; 403-783-3958
Ponoka Word of Life Center: 5009-53 Avenue; 403-783-5659
Seventh Day Adventist: 6102-57 Avenue; 403-783-6404
St. Augustine's Catholic Church: 5113-52 Avenue; 403-783-4048
St. Mary's Anglican Church: 5120-49 Avenue; 403-783-4329
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church: 5501-54 Avenue; 403-783-4141
Parkland Family Worship Center: Box 4341 T4J 1R7; 403-783-6757
Ponoka United Church: 5020-52 Avenue; 403-783-4087
Zion Christian Fellowship: 9 miles east on Hwy 53; Dial 403-357-1770, then 885-5067