Pendleton Round-Up facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pendleton Round-Up |
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Tie-down roping participant in 2004
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| Genre | rodeo |
| Begins | September |
| Frequency | annual |
| Location(s) | Pendleton, Oregon, U.S. |
| Years active | 115 |
| Inaugurated | 1910 |
| Capacity | 17,000 |
The Pendleton Round-Up is a huge yearly rodeo event. It takes place in Pendleton, a city in northeastern Oregon, U.S.. Since 1910, this exciting event has been held every September. It brings about 50,000 people to the city each year.
The Pendleton Round-Up is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). It was even added to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. This shows how important and famous the Round-Up is in the world of rodeo!
The Round-Up started as a special group called the "Northwestern Frontier Exhibition Association." It was created by local ranchers, like Herman Rosenberg, to help the community. The Pendleton Round-Up has won the PRCA Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year award many times. It has received this honor eleven times, including in 2024!
A famous bronc rider named Bonnie McCarroll was involved in an accident at the 1929 Round-Up. Because of this, the PRCA, which organizes rodeos, decided not to have women's events for some time.
Contents
History of the Round-Up
The very first Pendleton Round-Up happened in 1910. It began because people in Pendleton wanted to create a city park. The event was a big hit right away! It grew much larger in its first few years.
The Round-Up has only been canceled a few times. This happened in 1943 and 1944 because of World War II. It was also canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exciting Rodeo Events
The Pendleton Round-Up features 11 different events. Cowboys and cowgirls from all over the U.S. and Canada compete. The person who wins the most money in a certain number of events is named the All-Around Cowboy.
Here are some of the thrilling events you can see:
- Bareback riding
- Saddle bronc riding
- Tie-down roping
- Team roping
- Steer wrestling
- Barrel racing (for cowgirls)
- Breakaway roping (for cowgirls)
- Steer roping
- Bull riding
- Indian relay races
- Wild cow milking
Round-Up Week Fun
The Round-Up week is full of special activities! It starts with the Dress Up Parade. This parade happens on the Saturday before the rodeo begins. Different groups from Eastern Oregon create floats and compete for first place. You might see Boy and Girl Scouts, the Pendleton High School Band, and local businesses.
The Happy Canyon Indian Pageant and Wild West Show is also a big part of the week. In 2017, it was named Oregon's official outdoor pageant!
On Friday of Round-Up week, there's another parade called the Westward Ho! parade. In this parade, all vehicles must be non-motorized. Most are real covered wagons and horse-drawn buggies. Some people even ride horses or walk.
Since 2021, a special bull riding event has taken place. It's called the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale. This happens on the Monday and Tuesday before the rodeo starts at the Happy Canyon Arena.
The main Round-Up rodeo and Happy Canyon shows officially begin on Wednesday.
Grand Entry Parade
The rodeo kicks off with an amazing Grand Entry! Flag bearers ride in at full speed on horseback. They carry the Flag of the United States, the Flag of Oregon, the Flag of Canada, and the flag of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Then, the Round-Up Queen and her court ride in fast on their horses. They make two jumps and stop right before the fence in front of the south grandstand. It's a very exciting way to start the show!
Rodeo Personnel
The person who announces the Pendleton Round-Up is Wayne Brooks. The brave bullfighters who protect the cowboys are Dusty Tuckness and Tim O'Conner.
Grand Final Review
More to Explore
- Let 'er Buck (1925)
- Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame
- Last Go Round
