Poncafest set for Saturday, July 30

There’s a party in Ponca this weekend.

Buffalo Outdoor Center is hosting the first ever Poncafest on Saturday, July 30.

The event is in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the outdoor center, which opened in 1976 as a canoe rental operation, but has grown into a full-scale lodging resort since then.

The festival will kick off at 8 a.m. with a 5K Run, followed by live music from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. with the Whistlin’ Dixie Band and Joe Giles and the Homewreckers.

The event will also feature a kayak raffle, and other hourly giveaways.

Local food trucks Yeyo’s Mexican Grill, Grazed and Confused, and Roll on Egg Roll will be set up from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. as well, and there will be plenty of activities for the kids sponsored by the Ponca Elk Education Center.

All of the activities will take place at or near the Buffalo Outdoor Center facility, located at 4699 AR Hwy 43 in Ponca.

The festival is free and family-friendly. For more information, visit buffaloriver.com.