The Bonnyville Agricultural Society is wanting residents to come out and cheer on local chuckwagon drivers, during their first Sprit of Bonnyville Chuckwagon Races.
The Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) event will feature riders from across the Lakeland, including Bonnyville’s very own Danny Ringuette.
Even though he has been racing for five years, this will be his first time competing in front of a local crowd.
“I think it’s everybody’s goal to race in your hometown,” said Ringuette. “With the great facilities Bonnyville has, lots of friends and family around, it’s really great to be where they are.”
President of the Bonnyville Ag Society, Margo Vallee said this is one of the reasons they decided to bring the CPCA to the area this year.
“There are a lot of local drivers, so we signed onto a one-year term to see how this goes,” expressed Vallee, adding there are drivers from across the Lakeland travelling to Bonnyville to take part in the races.
“A lot of people know these drivers,” she continued.
The three-day event at the Bonnyville Rodeo Grounds kicks off on Friday, June 8, with races starting at 7 p.m. A pancake breakfast on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m will feed hungry attendees, while a farmer’s market will keep them busy from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the beer gardens.
More races are scheduled in the evening starting at 7 p.m.
Mid Life Crisis will hit the stage at 9 p.m. for the dance portion of the weekend.
That’s not all when it comes to the chuckwagon action. On Sunday, racers will hit the dirt for one final event. The Bonnyville Pro Chuckwagon Association racers will be facing off at 12:30 p.m., with a CPCA race to follow at 1 p.m.
“Bonnyville is such a chuckwagon town, there are lots of fans here,” Ringuette said. “There are a couple of riders from Bonnyville, and there are a lot from the Bonnyville area. We’re really all from within a couple of hours away.”
Vallee added, “Everyone in the area really seems to enjoy the chuckwagon races, and these are the local racers.”
The event was named the Spirit of Bonnyville Chuckwagon Races after Ray Croteau, a former local chuckwagon racer.
“They’re calling it the CPCA Spirit of Bonnyville, because the Spirit of Bonnyville is what he called his wagon,” explained Vallee.
Tickets for the event are available at the door, or in advance at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre.
