An Extra Special Event Celebrating BOC's 50th Year

Poncafest 2026

Join us Saturday, August 1st, for an all-day celebration at BOC in celebration of our 50th year of adventure on the upper Buffalo National River!

It All Happens Saturday, August 1st!

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca

Mark your calendar for Poncafest 2026, and make plans to join us for an all-day family event at BOC in celebration of our 50th year! We’re talking food trucks, lots of fun activities for the kids, vendors, live music throughout the day and drawings for terrific giveaways every single hour!

Admission is FREE, as are the activities for kids and the live music! You can purchase awesome food and refreshments from one of the fabulous food trucks, and the BOC deli will also be open.

PONCAFEST FUN RUN & 5K

Lace up your running shoes and kick off Poncafest 2026 with a fun and energizing 5K & Fun Run. Beginning at 7:30 AM at Buffalo Outdoor Center’s store on Highway 43 in Ponca. Participants of all ages are welcome, whether you prefer to run, jog, or walk.

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

Bring the kids and Grandma and Grandpa as there’s something for everyone at Poncafest! Our friends over at the Ponca Elk Education Center will serve as the host for most of our kid activities, including bouncy houses and face painting (for all ages!) will be offered in front of the BOC store.

Grownups will enjoy the live music and vendors, while everyone will love grabbing something delicious at one of our food trucks or the BOC deli!

MARKSMANSHIP CONTEST FOR KIDS!

On Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to Noon, our neighbors at the Elk Education Center are hosting a marksmanship contest for kids! There will be competitions in archery, baitcasting, air rifle and sling shot. And even though the official competition ends at Noon, kids can still try their hand at markenship until 4:00 PM at the close of Poncafest.

RAFFLE GIVEAWAYS!

Love giveaways? We’ll have a boat load of ’em! Every hour we’ll be giving away a super sweet prize to a lucky raffle ticketholder. We’re talking BOC gift cards, cabin stays, zip line tours, BOC merch, a kayak, and a Buffalo Canoe! Raffle tickets are $1 each and proceeds go to the Buffalo River Foundation. Please note that you must be present to win at the time your prize-winning ticket number is called; otherwise, we will draw another ticket. Limit one giveaway per person, although everyone in attendance at 4:00 PM who has an undrawn raffle ticket(s) remaining in the drawing box is eligible for the kayak giveaway.

LIVE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE DAY!

Tap your toes, clap your hands and sing along to the sounds of super popular local groups Whistlin’ Dixie and the 7 South Band! We’ll have a large tent with tables and chairs for your listening comfort, but you’re also welcome to bring a lawn chair.

FOOD TRUCKS!

You won’t go hungry at Poncafest with the lineup of food trucks we’ll have at the event! Featuring: Wooden Spoon Provisions, Shelly Beth’s Fried Pies, Mack’s Shaved Ice, The Honey Press, Just Roll With It – Ice Cream! And, the BOC Deli will also be serving up a limited menu of our guests favorite sandwiches, as well as breakfast burritos available until 10:30 AM.

PONCAFEST SCHEDULE

Here’s a handy itinerary of some the good things going on at Poncafest throughout the day!

HELPFUL INFO ABOUT ATTENDING

Parking for Poncafest
Parking is available in a variety of areas in Ponca, some of which is within easy walking distance of Buffalo Outdoor Center, which is the primary location for Poncafest activities. Parking will also be available at the Ponca low water bridge. Our staff and volunteers will be helping guide guests to parking; plus, we’ll have a free shuttle van running to bring guests to the event and return them to their cars.

Temporary Zipline Tour and Ponca Downhill Shuttle Service Closure
In order to permit all of our staff to be a part of Poncafest, our zipline tour and shuttle service for the Ponca Downhill MBT will not be available on Saturday, August 1st.

Security
To assist with traffic and general safety, volunteer police officers will be present during the event.