he annual Umatilla County Fair at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in Hermiston is more than just a summer tradition. For many county residents, it’s where community values are on full display — rural roots, hard work, family pride and a sense of belonging that spans across generations.
tFounded in 1912, the Umatilla County Fair has deep roots in this rural agricultural region. It brings together families, neighborhoods, civic leaders, farmers and small businesses in one shared space.
“The ability to have one place, one time of the year with common interests for the community to gather is kind of the goal,” said Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran, a former county fair board member.
For new residents or visitors looking to better understand Umatilla County and Hermiston, local leaders Dorran and Hermiston Mayor Doug Primmer agree the perfect place to start is at the fair.
“It brings out everybody you know,” Primmer said.
By LUCAS HELLBERG East Oregonian
For Dorran — a longtime Umatilla County resident whose connection to the fair goes back more than 54 years — the fair is centered around several things, including animals, entertainment and youth.
It’s one of the most exciting times of the year in the county, he said, “at least for summer.”
Dorran, a Hermiston High School graduate who spent his summers and vacation time as a child working on his uncle’s ranch, said he started going to the county fair when he was 7 years old. When he became a dad, he brought his children to the fair to participate in fair activities. Now, his granddaughter comes to the fair to display pictures or projects she’s worked on to be displayed at the fair.
Dorran said it is hard for him to pick a favorite event. But, he said that one of his favorite memories from the fair was watching his children participating in 4-H fair activities.
In addition to his role as mayor, Primmer works part-time for the Umatilla County’s Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy. For most of his adult life, Primmer said that he has worked the fair, mainly in the rodeo section, for the sheriff’s office.
Reflecting on his many years of work at the fair, Primmer said his favorite part of working at the fair is interacting with people in a nonconfrontational way.
“When I’m working in uniform interacting with the kids … that’s one of the best parts about it … the kids get to see law enforcement as nice people,” he said.
Primmer added: “You have the little kids running up and giving cops hugs and wanting to get little stickers … I love seeing that.”
In 2010, Hermiston became Eastern Oregon’s largest city, beating out Pendleton. In July 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city had roughly 2,700 more people than Pendleton.
Since 2010, Hermiston’s population has grown by 16%. By comparison, Pendleton’s population has grown by less than 3%.
Even as Hermiston continues to grow, the fair remains a constant: a place to gather, celebrate and remind residents of what they share.
As Dorran put it, the fair helps create a platform around shared interests.
while the Umatilla County Fair Court has been bust promoting the fair for months, the show really gets going with the annual Umatilla County Fair Kick-Off Parade.
With the theme of Cowbells & Carousels, the parade is Saturday, Aug. 2, and the procession begins at 6:30 p.m. near Hermiston High School. The route heads east on Highland Avenue, north on Highway 395, then east on Main Street, taking a turn north onto Northeast Third Street for one block, then west onto East Gladys Avenue. The parade continues for a few blocks until ending on South First Place.
With big rigs to organization floats, service clubs and equestrian groups, the parade offers a little bit of everything.
The parade’s grand marshals are husband-and-wife Steve and Joni Anderson. The fair court — Princesses Keegin Keely, Jaelie Ruiz and Sarah Sepulveda — also will be in the parade.
By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian
the Umatilla County Fair features a variety of auxiliary entertainment
Aug. 6-9 at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in Hermiston. And the best part — it’s all free after paying gate admission.
“We’re trying to create a more fun atmosphere,” Doug Bennett said. “Our goal is to make it very entertaining for people.”
Bennett, in his seventh year on the fair board, and Beth Wheeler, the new fair coordinator, are excited about the side entertainment, including strolling entertainers. They anticipate people will enjoy familiar traditions as well as new or revived activities on the Les Schwab Stage.
“I think it lends to the full experience,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler and Bennett encourage fairgoers to watch the Talent Show, which is being resurrected after many years. Attendees can applaud their friends and neighbors as youths and adults vie for cash prizes Thursday, Aug. 7, at 3 p.m. on the Les Schwab Stage.
After consulting Peggy Anderson, the fair’s first full-time manager from 2006 to 2015, Wheeler said they couldn’t pinpoint when the last talent show was held. Anderson did recall holding Battle of the Bands for several years midway through her tenure.
When the idea to revive the long-ago tradition was discussed, Wheeler said fair directors decided to try it again. While there wasn’t an overwhelming number of applicants, Wheeler is not discouraged.
“Like everything else, it usually takes three or so years to pick back up,” she said.
Cooper Hennings is bringing farm-fresh fun to provide egg-citing encounters with fairgoers strolling the grounds. In addition to juggling eggs, his Wagon of Whimsy is stocked with supplies to make balloon animals, perform magic tricks, play games and test people’s knowledge with trivia.
Leapin’ Louie, aka David Lichtenstein, is known for his unique blend of cowboy comedy and physical humor. Catch him strolling the grounds or on the Les Schwab Stage showing off his trick roping, unicycle riding, whip cracking and juggling skills.
The fair is going to the dogs — K9 Kings the Flying Dog Show is daily at noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Witness the acrobatic talents of the canine performers, while J.D. Platt offers up laughter, audience participation and encourages animal rescue. Also, hang out and meet the dogs after the show. | Continued on page 10
On Saturday, Aug. 9, the fair is highlighting Hermiston’s famous fruit on the Les Schwab Stage. The afternoon features a pair of watermelon carving demonstrations by Roger Pope at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Pope, who works in graphics/media production for the Hermiston School District, honed his skills while carving pumpkins with his children and watching the Food Network’s “Halloween Wars.” He later participated in the show’s 13th season.
The professional pumpkin carver dabbles in other mediums. Pope said people can use spaghetti squash and potatoes in the off-season. He added chainsaw carving to his repertoire earlier this year.
“He’s done sand sculptures, pumpkins and watermelons,” Bennett said. “He’s very creative and will be a nice asset to the fair.”
And in between the two sessions by Pope is the Walchli Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest. It begins at 2 p.m. with several age group categories.
Wait, there’s more
Other performers include Bill Robinson, whose limitless energy provides zany and hilarious performances, and Heather Pearl, a stilt entertainer. Also, don’t forget other contests: Bonney’s Ag & Auto Repair returns with the Children’s Tractor Pull on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m., and KOHU is hosting the Cutest Baby Contest Aug. 9 at 11 a.m.
And finally, be on the lookout for rubber duckies during the inaugural Duck, Duck Fair. Those finding ducks need to take them to the fair office by 7 p.m. to be entered into a drawing. One lucky duck will win a $100 Visa gift card each night of the fair.
in an era when some people worry that young people are glued to their screens and disconnected from real-world skills, Oregon State University’s Umatilla County 4-H youth program is offering a different story.
At the Umatilla County Fair on Aug. 6-9, hundreds of local youth will showcase months of work, learning and effort on a variety of projects.
The Umatilla County “is the culmination” of the year for youth in the program, 4-H Umatilla County agent Courtney Waliser said.
While some still associate 4-H with youth raising and showing animals, Waliser said today’s 4-H in Umatilla County is much more than that.
“Once upon a time, it was just very livestock heavy,” Waliser said, but 4-H is “now we’re branching out” into computer science, creative writing and more.
This year, youth present not only their animals but also quilts, clothing, baking projects, artwork, videography and animation.
The preparation behind every fair entry is substantial, with many projects requiring daily work and care over several months. On the long end of the spectrum, Waliser said raising and caring for a steer typically takes about a year. Youth must decide what food to feed their animals and monitor feed ratios properly to ensure that their animals stay healthy and presentable.
Walliser, a former teacher who participated in 4-H in her youth, noted the expectations for animal stewardship and care have risen dramatically since her childhood.
“When I was a kid, we just kind of threw food at them and hoped it worked out,” Walliser said.
Not anymore.
“There’s a science involved and they can tell you what they’re feeding,” she said. “Why they’re feeding and how much they’re feeding because they know what the daily gain is on those animals.”
Meanwhile, youth involved in sewing, knitting, creative writing and animation are equally hard at work putting the finishing touches on their projects as the fair approaches.
“Our kids are working really hard right now,” Walliser said.
By LUCAS HELLBERG East Oregonian
What’s on display at the fair goes beyond the projects themselves. 4-H also fosters leadership, confidence and communication skills.
4-H’s youth ambassador program gives older youth the opportunity to serve as role models and teachers. Walliser said the ambassadors have taught classes in animal science and fiber arts at local schools.
Walliser said youth also practice public speaking — one of the most challenging skills for many — while they are selling the animals they have cared for to potential buyers through the county fair’s Youth Livestock Auction.
This year, participation in Umatilla County’s 4-H program has increased by nearly 17% from the previous year. With more than 500 participants now in the program, Walliser credits the growth to community support and the fair’s efforts to provide many opportunities for youth participants.
In August, visitors to the Umatilla County Fair will see more than 4-H participants’ projects — they will see creativity, technical expertise, leadership and the results of months of hard work.
For more information about Umatilla County 4-H go to: extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/umatilla.
By TAMMY MALGESINI | East Oregonian
the 2025 Umatilla County Fair features an exciting concert lineup Aug. 6-9 on the Wildhorse Resort & Casino Main Stage at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in Hermiston.
Fair coordinator Beth Wheeler said the musical component for the fair brings a fuller experience for those attending. In addition, she said it brings back memories and is something everyone can relate to.
“It’s an added factor that elevates any event,” Wheeler said. “It feeds your soul.”
The Wednesday through Friday night shows, featuring Waylon Wyatt (Aug. 6), Chase Matthew (Aug. 7), and Better Than Ezra (Aug. 8), start at 9 p.m. in EOTEC’s outdoor concert. The annual Latino Night is Aug. 9 and begins at 7 p.m. About 500 bleacher seats are available at each show with fair admission.
General concert seating and fan pit tickets range from $15-$25. VIP tables for eight run from $200-$280. Wednesday through Friday concert tickets do not include admission to the fair. Purchase tickets via links at www.umatillacountyfair.net, by searching www.aftontickets.com or at the fair office at EOTEC.
Latino Night tickets are $50 each, which includes fair admission if purchased in advance. In addition to the website, they can be purchased at El Caporal Fine Leathers, 154 W. Hermiston Ave. Wheeler said the partnership with El Caporal benefits both the fair and the patrons.
“Overall, it increases the sales exponentially,” she said. “Sometimes people are more comfortable with contacts they already know.”
Wyatt is an up-and-coming folk/country singer from Arkansas. Inspired by the red dirt sound, he began writing songs at age 15, releasing his debut EP, “Til The Sun Goes Down,” in July 2024.
Matthew, a country singer-songwriter from Nashville, released his debut album, “Born for This,” in 2022. Country Minute describes his live performances as a combination of “heartfelt ballads, rock aesthetics and just a dash of personal testimony.”
Alt-rock band Better Than Ezra formed 35-plus years ago at Louisiana State University. Frontman Kevin Griffin said it took seven years to sign a record deal.
Their perseverance was rewarded when “Good,” the band’s 1995 hit single, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart. And they continue to thrive.
“We’re having more fun playing music now than we’ve ever had,” he told NOLA.com in June.
DJ, dancing and live music are featured in the Barley Barn before and after all concerts. In addition, Doug Bennett, a fair board director in his seventh year, said he is excited to bring a “true mariachi band,” which will be roving the fairgrounds, performing for three hours leading up to Saturday night’s show.
Bennett said he has been working collaboratively with Moises Lopez, of Limitless Multimedia Production, to present this year’s Latino Night.
“He’s striving toward my goal to make it the best fair,” Bennett said. “He has six bands scheduled for that night.”
Headliners are Hijos de Barrón, a group of passionate young musicians from Sinaloa, Mexico, united by a deep love for traditional regional music; and Los Morros Del Norte, a
regional Mexican group formed in Durango, Mexico, by three brothers and a cousin. Both groups have recorded albums and tour across Mexico and the United States, where they have strong fan bases.
The rest of the lineup includes Los Hermanos Michel, Rebeldes De La Sierra, La 4ta Generacion De Tierra Caliente and Estilo Diferente. The latter was founded in 2019 by three teenage friends in Irrigon. Estilio Diferente, translated as “different style,” is known for performing norteño, indie sierreño, corridos and romanticas.
General concert seating and fan pit tickets range from $15-$25. VIP tables for eight run from $200-$280. Wednesday through Friday concert tickets do not include admission to the fair. Purchase tickets via links at www.umatillacountyfair.net, by searching www.aftontickets.com or at the fair office at EOTEC.
three local teens will represent the Umatilla County Fair as members of the fair’s Fair Court in August.
According to the Fair Court application, court members are ambassadors for the county fair and Umatilla County as a whole. The teens represent the fair at community events before the fair begins, fair officials say. The goal of the court is to build leadership skills, confidence and memories, the application says.
The 2025 princesses are Keegin Keely, Jaelie Ruiz and Sarah Sepulveda.
Keegin Keely is heavily involved in Future Farmers of America. She was a junior at Hermiston High School during the 2024-25 school year, according to a Facebook post.
Her leadership experience includes serving as the treasurer of her school’s FFA chapter in the past.
Keely comes from a family that has been involved in the fair for years. According to the county fair’s website, her grandparents have been county fair marshals in the past. Keely’s grandfather is a former county fair board member. Her father and uncle participated in livestock showing activities in 4-H and FFA in their youth.
In her free time, county fair officials say Keely enjoys participating in community outreach programs, including visiting elementary school classes to help teach them about agriculture.
According to the county fair’s website, Keely hopes to become a therapist.
“We are very excited to have Keegin on the Fair Court this year and can’t wait to see what wonderful things she brings to the UCF,” county fair officials said in a statement.
Princess Jaelie Ruiz
Jaelie Ruiz was a sophomore at Hermiston High School during the 2024-25 school year. She is “all about academics,” a Facebook post says.
According to the county fair’s website, Ruiz has completed college courses and earned many academic awards in reading and math. Her past leadership experience includes serving as the captain of her previous high school’s cheer team.
County fair officials said Ruiz grew up attending the county fair and watching the fair court princesses. She has always admired how princesses represent themselves at the fair, the county fair’s website says.
In free time, county fair officials say Ruiz enjoys photography, camping, hiking, fruit picking, playing soccer and riding dirt bikes.
Ruiz plans to graduate from high school with an associate degree, according to the county fair’s website. After high school, she plans to double major in psychology and criminology at the University of Tennessee.
“We can’t wait to see what this young lady’s future has in store,” county fair officials said in a statement.
Sarah Sepulveda was a junior at Hermiston High School in 2024-25.
Her leadership experience includes serving as the captain of her school’s soccer team. Through her role as soccer captain, Sepulveda motivates her teammates and encourages collaboration, county fair officials say. She has also mentored younger kids at soccer camps in the past.
Sepulveda has a 4.0 GPA and is participating in a teaching academy through Eastern Oregon University, according to the county fair’s website.
County fair officials say Sepulveda wants to become a high school science teacher. After high school she hopes to attend Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.
“Sarah looks forward to the community engagement and local events she will be able to participate in while representing the Umatilla County Fair. We too look forward to having this young lady on the Fair Court,” county fair officials said in a statement.
By LUCAS HELLBERG East Oregonian
the Umatilla County Fair’s Youth Livestock Auction returns to the fair Aug. 9 after record-breaking sales in 2024.
The auction — always on the fair’s final day — is where youth participants in Future Farmers of America and 4-H show a variety of livestock and other animals for auction. The auction is the fair’s major event for youth participants. The county fair’s website calls it “one of the most important events at the Umatilla County Fair.”
Last year, the Youth Livestock Auction had approximately $1.50 million in total sales — a nearly 11% increase from 2023.
Umatilla County Board of Commissioners
Vice Chair Dan Dorran, a former county fair board member whose connection to the fair goes back more than 54 years, said the record-breaking amount of money raised last year “shows a lot” about the community’s support of youth.
Umatilla County is one of the “most giving areas that you’ve ever seen,” Dorran said.
Hermiston High School agriculture teacher and FFA adviser Sandy McKay, who has about 30 of his students participating in the livestock auction this year, echoed a similar sentiment.
“It is surprising … every year it seems like it tops the previous year, sets a new record,” McKay said.
The auction is “ingrained into the fabric of our community,” he added.
McKay said the livestock auction is the culmination of the year for most students in FFA. He said that it is by far the biggest stock show that his students compete at.
Preparation for the auction begins well in advance of fair week. Smaller animals, such as rabbits, chickens, guinea pigs and turkeys, require around three to four months of care and feeding, McKay said. Larger animals, such as a steer, by contrast, take around 10 months, he said.
The students have to ensure their animals have food and water every day and shade on hot days, McKay said.
Beyond the fair’s auction, McKay said some students undertake multi-year breeding projects that may span their entire high school careers.
While raising livestock may be the most visible aspect of the auction, students also are getting practical business experience. McKay noted youth learn the financial side of agriculture as they budget expenses and calculate the profitability of their projects.
For some youth, the financial rewards can be significant.
McKay said the average steer sold at around $6.63 a pound last year — roughly double what a similar animal might cost at a commercial livestock sale. With steers typically sold at auction weighing around 1,400 to 1,500 pounds, that means some youth could take home more than nearly $10,000 in some cases.
McKay said most youth put the money they earn toward next year’s auction animal and saving for college. If they are not planning to attend college, McKay said, they put the money earned toward savings or a vehicle.
McKay said the money youth earn from the auction helps them when they graduate from high school and go out on their own.
The money they earn at the auction, he said, means “They’re not starting from nothing.”
the Umatilla County Fair will have at least six new indoor vendors, seven new outdoor vendors and nine new food vendors this year.
According to the Umatilla County Fair, vendors — who applied via the fair’s website — were selected based on whether they could provide the best experience for fairgoers. Fair organizers said vendors were selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers also said they took into consideration the number of similar businesses applying and the fair’s previous experiences working with vendors.
Umatilla County Fair coordinator Beth Wheeler said the county fair board decides who can be a vendor at the fair. She said “very few” vendors who applied to work at the fair this year were denied.
Lacey Sharp is the new owner of Soda Craze, a business that participated in the fair last year under a prior owner and was selected to be a vendor at this year’s fair. She said the fair is a great opportunity for her as a new business owner.
“It’s a good way for us to get our name out there as new business owners so that people get to know us,” Sharp said.
List of vendors
Here’s a preliminary list of vendors as of July 7, broken down by category, courtesy of the Umatilla County Fair:
Food vendors
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Best Funnel Cakes
Cametco Inc.
Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream
Doghouse Concessions
El Cameron
Inland Empire
Jeremy Westmoreland Concessions-Corndogs (1)
Jeremy Westmoreland Concessions-Kettlecorn (2)
Jerry’s Brain Freeze
Kona Ice of Tri-Cities
Little Pup
Main Squeeze Lemonade
Mi Pueblito Taco Truck
Pinas Coladas Acapulco Style LLC
Raspados Garcia
Ready and Out Restaurant
Rosas Churros
Rutys
Soda Craze
Taste of Manila
Teriyaki Mex
The Lions
The Pancake Girl
The Stickhorse
Wafflestix Bar
By LUCAS HELLBERG East Oregonian
Big Western LLC, Bobble Bay
Knockerballtricities LLC
Red Dot Paintball
Indoor vendors
American Legion Post 37
AllStars WorldWide
Amazing Grace Mission
Blue Mountain Networks (sponsor)
Casa Garcia
Cecilia’s Arts & Crafts
Child Evangelism Fellowship of Oregon Inc.
UCo Community Development
Cutco Cutlery
Family Health Associates (sponsor)
Good Shepherd Health Care (sponsor)
Grace Baptist Church
GS Vortex Systems
Kika Beauty Inc.
Heavy Metal Carports
OSU Extension Umatilla County
Oregon Water Resources Department
Pendleton Builders Trade Council
RagnaRocks
Rebath of Tricities
Renewal by Andersen
Roger’s Toyota
TruCare Pregnancy Clinic
Umatilla County Democratic Party
Umatilla County Republicans
West Umatilla County Right to Life
West Umatilla Mosquito Control District (sponsor)
Outdoor vendors
American Trailer Sales
8 Second Strong
AK Name Rings
Bulldog Signs & Graphics
Business Men’s Fellowship Chapter 18
Chicanita Imports
Diana’s Freeze Dried Goodies
Drawn Together Caricature Co.
FireFly Tattoo’s
Hazard the World
John L. Scott
Kids Wonderland
Kika Beauty Inc.
La Catedral de Los Ángeles
Lagartos Boutique
La Guera’s Accessories
Peruvian Inkas Art
RH Western Hats FKA: Resendiz Herrera Sales
Rhonda’s Originals
Rosabella Arts & Crafts
Royal Prestige
Sawtooth Signs
Sullivan Supply
Tondi’s Treats
Uco Public Health
Unicorner Designs
Western Junkies
Wild Kiger Designs
By LUCAS HELLBERG East Oregonian
for nearly four decades, the annual Farm-City Pro Rodeo has brought together farmers, ranchers and other county residents to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage.
The people who go to the rodeo “are the same people that you may” see at Safeway and Starbucks, Hermiston Mayor Doug Primmer said.
Founded in 1988, the Farm-City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston is an annual community event that coincides with the Umatilla County Fair. For many attendees and participants, the event honors those who work the land, symbolizing the community’s close ties with agriculture.
“It’s the end of the season where people are done harvesting … and getting ready to kick off the potato season,” Farm-City Pro Rodeo Marketing and Advertising Director Torrie Griggs said.
Griggs said the Farm-City Pro Rodeo always
has been an American farmer-style rodeo. She also pointed out the rodeo has not changed that much since it started in 1988.
According to Griggs, the rodeo today retains the same format and style. The only thing that has changed is that rodeo has more prize money and sponsorships, she said.
The rodeo is a family-friendly rodeo and “an opportunity to showcase what we have here locally with people outside,” Griggs said.
With rodeo having a total purse of $50,000 per event, rodeo officials say this year’s event will rank in the top 15 for pay in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Griggs said attendance has increased steadily in recent years, with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 more attendees during the last three years. According to the rodeo’s website, more than 22,000
people attended the rodeo last year.
In recent years, Griggs said the rodeo has attracted more visitors from Idaho, Washington, California and Nevada, reflecting the rodeo’s rising profile on the national rodeo circuit.
“The Farm-City Pro Rodeo has grown from a local tradition into one of the premier rodeos in the Northwest — bringing top-tier talent, tourism and a true sense of pride to our community year after year,” rodeo officials said in a statement.
Griggs attributed part of rodeo’s draw to the rodeo’s reputation for being fast-paced and highly engaging. She described the rodeo as a compact, action-packed event that typically starts at 7:45 p.m. and finishes around 10 p.m., allowing spectators to enjoy a full slate of rodeo events in a relatively short period of time.
Griggs said the layout of the arena adds to the appeal, noting that there is “not a bad seat in the stands.”
As the Farm-City Pro Rodeo gears up for its return to Hermiston in early August, organizers are highlighting the event’s economic significance to Hermiston’s and Umatilla County’s economy.
Founded in 1988, the Farm-City Pro Rodeo draws visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. According to the rodeo’s website, last year’s rodeo had more than 22,000 attendees. It also helped spur approximately $3.2 million in indirect and direct economic impacts for Hermiston and its surrounding areas that year, according to the website.
Farm-City Pro Rodeo Marketing and Advertising Director Torrie Griggs said attendance at the rodeo has increased significantly in recent years, with roughly 2,000 to 3,000 more attendees in the last three years.
We’re “expanding the reach further out to” places such as Idaho, Washington, California and Nevada, Griggs said.
How does the Rodeo support the economy?
According to the rodeo’s website, last year’s rodeo is estimated to have helped spur more than 3,400 hotel room bookings and helped support 150 part-time and seasonal jobs. It also helped generate more than $245,000 in local food and beverage revenue and more than $110,000 in retail and vendor sales.
Beyond Rodeo Week, organizers say the event may draw visitors who return for more than just the rodeo.
This year’s rodeo will have a $50,000 purse per event, which will put this year’s rodeo among the top 15 highest paying Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. According to the Griggs, the purse amount is double what it was last year.
“Our tag line for this year is ‘Double the money. Double the legacy,’” Griggs said.
The change is expected to attract more out-of-towners who will spend more money locally at Hermiston-area hotels and restaurants, organizers say.
541-564-4449
345 E. Pine, Hermiston, OR Se Habla Español QUALITY. HONESTY. EXCELLENCE.
for a sport born on the straightforward ranches of the American West, rodeo can be confusing for the uninitiated. If you’re reading these words, that’s probably you. Don’t fret, you’re starting in the right place. Rodeo 101 is here to provide the basics and get you up to speed.
The top award at every rodeo, which also comes with additional money and prizes. It is awarded to the cowboy who earns the most money in more than one event, which is not always the cowboy who earns the most total money that week. If no cowboy earns money in more than one event, the all-around goes to the cowboy who earned the most combined money while entering more than one event.
Just what it sounds like, bareback riders must compete without the benefit of a saddle. The horses used in bareback are the same as those used in saddle bronc, but the ride is much more violent because of the lack of padding between the horse and rider. Contestants grip a handle that is strapped behind the horse’s shoulder blades, leading to bone-shaking impacts with each buck. It requires skill, balance and coordination. Riders must stay on for 8 seconds for a legal ride.
The only women’s event in major rodeo, barrel racing has gone from a side competition to a fan favorite. Contestants start at one end of the arena riding toward a timeline that automatically times their run. They must traverse a three-leafed clover pattern starting on either the left or right, and after looping around the first barrel must cross the arena to the opposite barrel. After looping around the second barrel they ride to the middle barrel before heading straight back to the timeline. Contestants are allowed to bump the 55-gallon barrels, but if one falls over, a 5-second penalty is added to their time.
Considered the most dangerous 8 seconds in sports. Contestants grip a bull rope that is wrapped around the bull’s body just behind its front legs. Riders may only use one hand. If their free hand comes into contact with the bull, it is not a legal ride. Riders are not required to mark out or spur like the bareback and saddle back riders. Although they take on the largest animals in the sport, bull riders tend to be some of the smallest competitors.
The name applied to the bucking events — bull riding, bareback riding and saddle bronc. Bareback riding and saddle bronc are contested on bucking horses. In all of the events, contestants earn scores for successful 8-second rides. Once situated on the back of the bronc or bull, the cowboy will signal the gate man, who then opens the bucking chute. With only one hand holding him onto his mount, the cowboy must successfully ride for 8 seconds to earn a score. Rough stock is scored by two judges, who award up to 25 points to each rider and animal based on varying criteria. All scores are combined to get a total for the ride, with 100 points as the maximum.
Rodeo’s signature event. From a specialized saddle with free-swinging stirrups and no horn, contestants grip a cotton rein that is attached to a halter worn by the horse.
Because of time restrictions, not every cowboy gets to compete in the main performance. Slack is the name for competitions before or after the main performances and counts the same in the overall standings. Slack ensures larger entry fields and higher payouts for winners, and is less expensive to attend for fans.
Also known as bulldogging, steer wrestling requires the most brute strength of any of the timed events. The cowboy starts behind the barrier, and once the steer has been released, the cowboy must catch up to the sprinting steer before dropping down from the side of his horse and catching the steer by the horns. The clock stops when all four hooves are off the ground and pointing in the same direction. pointing in the same direction. Steers weigh between 450 and 660 pounds.
Consisting of a header (the cowboy who ropes the head of the steer) and a heeler (the cowboy who ropes the hind legs), the event begins the same as tiedown, except with one rider in each box on either side of the chute. Once the barrier is released, the header must make one of three legal catches — around both horns, one horn and the head, or the neck — and then make the steer change direction before the heeler throws his lasso at its hind legs. Catching both hind legs is a successful run, while catching just one adds a 5-second penalty. The clock stops when there is no slack in both ropes and the riders’ horses are facing each other.
Also known as calf roping. A cowboy must lasso a calf before dismounting and successfully tying any three of its legs together. After he throws his hands into the air to signify a completed run, he must get back on his horse and create slack in the rope. The calf must stay tied for 6 seconds to make the time official.
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