Looking for classic rodeo? The Pendleton Round-Up is known as the world’s largest four-day rodeo that’s a 100-year-old Western tradition in northeast Oregon. There’s nothing slick about this rodeo. From Pacific Northwest Native American tribes that participate in the activities to PBR bull-riding competitions, the Pendleton Round-Up celebrates life in the West.
Pendleton Round-Up Then and Now
In 1910, a group of Pendleton businessmen organized the first Round-Up as an event showcasing bronco busting, cowboy racing and American Indian dancing. The largest crowd in Pendleton’s history showed up for the Round-Up that first year, and it’s been a defining event in the Northwest ever since.
People come from all across the U.S. and foreign countries for the Round-Up, considered one of the 10 biggest rodeos in the country. The Pendleton Round-Up has been named an Oregon Heritage Tradition (one of only two state events to be given this award) by the Oregon Heritage Commission. It keeps its Western traditions and doesn’t allow sponsor signs and commercial elements in the arena, harkening back to rodeos of the last century.
Events at the Pendleton Round-Up
Recognized at one of the oldest and most prestigious rodeos in the world, the Pendleton Round-Up includes a week full of activities, including parades, concerts, PBR bull-riding competitions, barbecues, dances and other events. Up to 40,000 spectators will attend this year’s Round-Up, with an encampment of 300 teepees. The famed grass arena showcases saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, steer roping and Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association events. Tickets are available daily and group rate.
The Round-Up begins on September 11 with a dress-up parade and concert featuring Kenny Rogers and the Oak Ridge Boys. The Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame Banquet is September 12. The Pendleton Pro Bull-Riding Classic is September 13 – 14. The Main Street Cowboy Show is September 13 – 18. The Happy Canyon Indian Pageant is September 14 – 18. The Children’s Rodeo, the American Indian traditional hide race and wild cow milking are September 15.
The Wild Horse Race returns to the Round-Up on September 16 along with the traditional rodeo. The Westward Ho Parade, more wild cow milking and an old-fashioned serpentine, featuring up to 300 horses and riders, are September 17. Watch for stage coach races and snub bucking (riding a saddle bronc without using entry gates) on September 18. The final teams will compete in wild cow milking on September 18.
Pendleton Hotels, Motels, B&Bs and Dining
Pendleton is 208 miles, or 3-1/2 hours from Portland, Oregon. A variety of lodging is available in Pendleton and nearby towns: Hotels and motels include the 170- room Red Lion Hotel, Rodeway Inn, Holiday Inn and Econo Lodge in Pendleton. Nearby Hermiston features the Best Western Inn and Oxford Suites.
The Wildhorse Resort and Casino in Pendleton offers accommodations. Or try the Bar M Ranch, 31 miles east of Pendleton, or other dude ranches in Oregon. Bed and breakfast establishments in Pendleton include the River Walk Bed and Breakfast with Craftsman ambiance and Victorian Pendleton House Bed and Breakfast. Or stay in the historic Working Girls Hotel, a former Pendleton bordello.
Pendleton offers a myriad of dining choices. Bakeries and coffee shops take care of early morning hunger. For lunch or dinner, try Mario’s Basque Barbecue, Italian, Mexican and Chinese restaurants. Stetson’s Steakhouse is well known for fine dining. Crabby’s Underground Saloon and Frontier Tavern Brewpub offer food and drink.
Things To Do in Pendleton
Pendleton is proud of its historic downtown, with 25 restored buildings and an old courthouse clock. Pendleton Woolen Mills makes brightly colored blankets and tapestries featuring regional patterns. Tours of the production facilities and gift shop are available. Pendleton Underground Tours offers historical presentations of the many bordellos, opium dens and saloons that once thrived in Pendleton.
The Tamastslikt Cultural Institute celebrates the culture of the indigenous Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes with interactive exhibits, a living culture village and special events. With its location near the Umatilla River, there is also white water rafting available in the area around Pendleton.
The Pendleton Round-Up, held the second full week of September every year since 1910, offers an authentic Western rodeo experience. The historic town also features a Native American museum, woolen mill and underground tours. Stay in hotels and motels or bed and breakfast establishments or ranches. For more rodeos in the Northwest, Wyoming's Cheyenne Frontier Days is a 10-day celebration of PRCA rodeo events, attractions and entertainment.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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