A number of events are taking place in Ponoka tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 4, to celebrate and support hometown Ponoka Olympian Maddison Pearman to coincide with the first day of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
“Join us in celebrating one of Ponoka’s own, Maddison Pearman, as she gets ready to compete at the 2022 Beijing Olympics,” stated a press release from the Town of Ponoka.
The Town of Ponoka is working in conjunction with a group of local community supporters to cheer Pearman on during the 2022 Olympics.
The town is encouraging people to show their support by wearing red and white on Feb. 4.
The Town has also purchased 100 #PearmantoBeijing window decals, which will be available for free to local citizens who would like to join in cheering on Pearman.
The window decals can be picked up, beginning on Feb. 4, at the Arena Complex (4410 54 Street), the Ponoka Aquaplex (5315 46 Ave.) or the town office at the Ponoka Civic Centre (#200, 5604 50 St.).
The window decals were purchased by the town from a group of community supporters that is selling the decals to help cover Pearman’s expenses during her Olympic journey. For more information, the group can be contacted by phoning community coordinator Sharon Klinger at 403-704-3117.
“On behalf of the Town of Ponoka, we would like to congratulate Pearman on this monumental achievement of making Canada’s Speeding Skating Olympic team,” said Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson in the release. “She is an amazing ambassador for our community and we look forward to cheering on Pearman in her Olympic journey.”
Local public schools Ponoka Elementary School and Ponoka Secondary Campus, of which Pearman is an alumnus of, are throwing their support behind Pearman as well.
Ponoka Elementary School is holding a “Show Your Canadian Spirit - First Day of the Olympics” day on Feb. 4, and made a video in support of Pearman, which can be viewed on their Facebook page.
The school is also lending their fence to be decorated with Canada flags and banners in support of Pearman’s Olympic journey. That project is being spearheaded by Klinger.
Pearman will represent Canada in four Olympic speed skating events, including the 500 metres, 1,000 metres, 1,500 metres and the mass start race. Her first event is happening on Monday, Feb. 7.
Before leaving for Beijing, Pearman said she was ““so grateful and thankful that I have such a large fan base behind me and have so many people cheering for me” in an interview with Ponoka News.
Decals on sale
Decals featuring the hashtag #PearmantoBeijing are available at Accu Publishing in town for $20 each. From every purchase, $15 will go to Pearman. Posters for $5 are also available.
Call 403-783-8399 or email breanne@accupublishing.com for more details.
READ MORE: Ponoka’s own Maddison Pearman heading to 2022 Beijing Olympics
Pearman’s Olympic event schedule
- Monday, February 7 at 1:30 a.m. in the Speed Skating Women’s 1500 metres
- Sunday, February 13 at 6 a.m. in the Speed Skating Women’s 500 metres
- Thursday, February 17 at 1:30 a.m. in the Speed Skating Women’s 1000 metres final
- Saturday, February 19 at 12 a.m. in the Speed Skating Mass Start