Pendleton Round-Up

It's that time of year, time for the world famous Pendleton Round-Up. As the editor of this blog I am a relative newcomer to this 98 year old event since I have only lived in Pendleton for 12 years, but I will try and do it justice.

In 1910 a group of area ranchers and farmers gathered in Pendleton to celebrate the end of harvest. This was the beginning of the world famous Pendleton Round-Up www.pendletonroundup.com. The four day event is a true epic drama which runs Wednesday through Saturday, the second full week in September. It includes 7 major PRCA events that are run each day! The Happy Canyon Night Show coincides with the Round-Up and starts at 7:45 each night with the portrayal of the early American Indian culture, and emigrants seeking a new life in a new frontier. Following the show don’t miss the “Happy Canyon Dance Hall” were you can dance, gamble against the Happy Canyon dealers and wet your whistle with your favorite beverage. Round-Up week kicks off the Saturday before the rodeo and starts with a parade and a major concert. Monday and Tuesday brings the US Bank/Pendleton PBR Classic and features the world’s best cowboys on the world’s meanest bulls! Downtown the Main St. Cowboys sponsor the best free show in the west. More fun is to be had at Wednesday night BBQ at Roy Raley Park next to the Round-Up grounds; also
visit the Native American Arts & Crafts in the park. The Cowboy breakfast at Stillman Park is another Round-Up tradition not to be missed. On Friday, the Westward Ho! Parade is one of the most unique in America today. Pack trains, stagecoaches, covered wagons, buggies, ox teams and hundreds of both Cowboys & Indians in full regalia, no motorized vehicle allowed! If you’re in town a different time of year, you can still share in the excitement of nearly 100 years of history by visiting the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of
Fame. War Paint, known as one of the best bucking horses of all time, welcomes you at the entrance where all the history and regalia on display will make you feel like you’re part of the action. Don’t miss the video area where you can catch the action from days gone by. The Hall of Fame and the gift shop are open year round, M-F 10-5, Saturday 10-4.